Staff writer
Marion schools will have a new band teacher for the 2016-2017 school year after USD 408 school board gave the nod Monday night to a teacher to step into outgoing band teacher Chris Barlow’s shoes.
Barlow, who has been with Marion schools since 2012, recently resigned to move to Salina along with his wife, Kate Barlow, and their young daughter. Kate Barlow is a speech pathologist at Marion County Special Education Cooperative.
Dmitry Bucklin, a teacher of three years with Beloit schools, will teach K-2 vocal and 5-12 band at Marion starting in August.
Superintendent Lee Leiker said the position was advertised for several weeks and drew two applicants, neither of them local. Music teachers are difficult to find, Leiker said.
“It was actually advertised as soon as Chris let me know he was going to turn in his resignation,” Leiker said. “There’s a huge demand for those musicians.”
Leiker said Bucklin plans to visit Marion soon.
Bucklin is a 2010 graduate of Hesston College and a 2012 graduate of Bethel College.
Kate Barlow’s upcoming departure, along with the retirement of school nurse Jane King, were addressed by David Sheppard, director of MCSEC, when he gave his annual report to the board.
“I know we’re going to lose a speech pathologist and it really, really hurts because she’s really good,” Sheppard said.
King has been with USD 408 since 2010.
Sheppard said it’s possible the cooperative will lose a school psychologist as well.
Marion County Parents as Teachers program passed quality endorsement goals for the 2014-2015 year with flying colors, hitting 17 of 17 measurements on target, director Lori Soo Hoo told board members. The program is now working on 2015-2016 assessment goals and should know the results by Oct. 1, Soo Hoo said.
Board members voted to continue participating in the program at an estimated cost of $8,667 for 2017.