VIENNA — The Maries R-1 Board of Education the resignation of board President Kacie James at the beginning of the May 21 meeting as the first of several resignations that evening.

Superintendent Teresa Messersmith read James’s resignation letter.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the school board and contribute to the educational development and well-being of the community,” she wrote. “After much consideration, I have come to the difficult decision to step down from this role in hopes of returning to the classroom. I am proud of the progress and achievements we have made during my tenure, and I am confident the board will continue to uphold its commitment to excellence under the new leadership.”

Later in the meeting, the board hired James as a fourth-grade teacher.

“You might be familiar with her,” Vienna Elementary School Principal Shanda Snodgrass said while recommending James for the position.

After James resigned from the board, Vice President Dave Long became the president per the board’s bylaws. Long opened nominations for a new vice president. Board member Denise Wilkinson motioned for Kayla Wansing for the role, and the board approved the motion.

Board Secretary Paula Schwartze said later that week that the administration is researching the process of filling the vacant board seat and will likely have more information to share with the board at the June 25  board meeting.

Later, the board accepted resignations from a handful of staff members. The first was middle school English teacher Tammy Heldenbrand. In her resignation letter, she said she had a wonderful experience with the district and had not planned to leave. However, a position became available in the district where her husband works, and she did not want to miss the opportunity.

“I think Maries R-1 is a great place to work and would recommend being here to anyone who would ask,” she wrote. “The students are great and confirmed my love for teaching middle school.”

The next resignation came from first-grade teacher Hannah Reed. She wrote that she also had a wonderful experience, but a planned relocation would prevent her from committing to a full school year.

Third-grade teacher Ciera Hamilton submitted the next resignation letter. She accepted a position at Oak Hills R-1, which is much closer to her home than Maries R-1.

“Please know that my time here has been very special to me,” she wrote. “Especially with all the help and support you have given me to help me grow and succeed.”

The next resignation letter came from elementary school teacher Malanie Swarthout.

“I will always cherish the memories of my students and my fellow colleagues,” she wrote.

The last resignation letter came from music teacher Anita Phipps. She accepted a position as a special education teacher with St. James R-1 School District.

“This is a positive financial move for me, and it will allow me to return to an area I am passionate about: helping students who need a little extra support in instruction,” she wrote.

After hiring James, the board hired another teacher and a pair of coaches. Snodgrass recommended hiring paraprofessional Andrea Neubert as a second-grade teacher, and the board approved the hire.

Vienna High School Principal Tim Metcalf recommended that the district hire Austin Bradley as the coach of the middle school boys’ basketball team.

“He has a lot of knowledge about basketball,” Metcalf said. “He’s very eager.”

Metcalf also recommended teacher Sharlene Hallett as the assistant coach of both the middle school and high school girls’ basketball teams. The board approved both coaching hires.