Longtime teachers retiring from Morrison Elementary
W.J. Morrison Elementary teachers Ellen Arvish, left, Dennis Hedge and Christi McElmurry are retiring. The trio and retiring teacher Patti Bailey have a total of 121 years with Troy Public Schools.
By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter
Due to retirements, W.J. Morrison Elementary is losing four teachers with a combined 121 years with Troy Public Schools.
The school board during last week's meeting accepted retirements from elementary music and gym teacher Ellen Arvish and fourth-grade teacher Dennis Hedge. Arvish has taught in Troy for 33 years and Hedge for 36 years.
Last month, teachers Christi McElmurry and Patti Bailey submitted their retirements. McElmurry has taught in Troy for 25 years and Bailey for 27 years.
Arvish came to Troy after teaching for one year in Great Falls. A native of Anaconda, she said the toughest part about leaving is the students.
"I just liked the kids and their ideas," Arvish said.
She plans to spend more time hiking, hunting and with family.
Hedge will leave behind a 40-year teaching career that included one year in Dodson and three years in Iverness before coming to Troy. At Morrison Elementary, Hedge has taught fourth, fifth and sixth grades.
A native of Kalispell, he considered retiring sooner, but his interest in teaching with computers kept him on. Hedge also owns Troy Bike Shop.
McElmurry has spent nearly her entire career with Troy Public Schools. She worked part-time in special education at St. Ignatius for a while.
A native of Eugene, Ore., Bailey taught for two years in Post Falls, Idaho, before moving to Troy in 1980. She currently teaches third and fourth grades, and also taught first grade.
As for losing these experienced teachers, principal Lance Pearson called it "devastating."
"You're losing an incredible amount of experience and quality teaching," Pearson said. "It certainly will make my job as a leader more difficult. These folks know how to teach and they get things done."
Pearson feels confident good teachers will be found to replace them. The pay for a starting teacher in Troy is $23,803.
In other business, the board agreed to begin negotiating a new contract for the district's aides, custodians, bus drivers and secretaries. Their current one-year agreement expires in early June.
The board also agreed to discontinue allowing Troy students to participate in the Libby High School wrestling program. Superintendent Brady Selle said Troy had no participants this year and has heard of no interest in continuing the program.