Beatty Schools Principal Gary Flood is looking for a few good teachers.
When school started, a new music teacher had been hired. This was a relief to Beatty students and parents, who feared that the program might die with the retirement of longtime teacher Dale Lerbakken.
Unfortunately, the teacher, Yuri Alexov, discovered that he suffered from severe allergies in Beatty. He had planned to bring his elderly mother to live with him because he is her primary caregiver, but he was afraid that she, too, would fall victim to the same problem.
As a result, Alexov resigned and returned to Georgia, leaving Beatty without a music teacher. Flood has been searching for a replacement, but so far has not found a candidate for the position. In the meantime, music classes are being taught by a substitute, Lenzy “Lennie” Williams, a 2011 graduate of Beatty High.
Williams has had some assistance from Lerbakken. “Mr. L. has really helped him,” says Flood, “in person one day, and they’ve been on the phone a couple of times.”
Flood is not certain how long Williams will be able to continue as substitute. In the meantime, he also finds himself searching for teachers to fill a couple of other positions.
For one, he is searching for a science teacher for the high school. The current science teacher, Tom Lyman, wants to transfer to fill an opening in Gabbs, where he lives. His house is across the street from the school there.
Another position that Flood is looking to fill is that of a pre-kindergarten teacher. This opening was created by a grant.
“We’ve got things in place for now,” says Flood. “Mr. Lyman has agreed to stay for the rest of this year as necessary or until we can find someone. And for the pre-K, we have very good model students in the early childhood program.”