Teacher Resignations; New Teacher Contracts Approved by APS Board of Education April 13

Three teacher resignations, and contracts for five new teachers and a speech language pathologist were accepted by the Auburn Public Schools (APS) Board of Education Monday night, April 13.
Leaving will be Mark Oliver, social studies; Andrew Davis, secondary vocal music and Emily Weeks, first grade. All are effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Joining APS will be: Sydney Roth and Jamie Frey, elementary; Katrina Umland, secondary vocal music; Colton Clark, secondary social studies; Megan Bebb, secondary computer science and Aubrey Wright, speech language pathologist.
Oliver is retiring after 37 years of teaching and coaching multiple sports at APS.
“Throughout my tenure, I have witnessed the profound impact that quality education has on our community, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of that mission,” he noted in his resignation letter.
Oliver thanked the APS administration on its support, encouragement and professional growth opportunities. “Your leadership has fostered an environment where educators can thrive and students can flourish,” he continued.
“Auburn is truly a great place to raise a family, and it has been a privilege to contribute to its continued success. The wealth of talented students and dedicated teachers at Auburn High School is remarkable, and I am proud to have worked alongside such exceptional individuals,” Oliver added.
Weeks indicated she has valued her time working with APS students, staff and families the past two years.
“I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to grow professionally and for the relationships I have made during my time here. I will always look back on my time at Calvert with appreciation,” she stated.
Davis, who also had taught two years at APS, said during that time the choir room has been filled with music, laughter, growth and moments he will never forget.
“Watching students walk into the choir room unsure of themselves and then grow into confident performers on stage has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career,” he continued.
He noted he will always treasure the concerts, rehearsals and performances shared with the student-vocalists.
“There is nothing quite like the feeling of hearing a choir come together in harmony after weeks of hard work, or watching students experience the pride and excitement that comes from performing in front of an audience. Those moments remind me why music education is so powerful,” Davis related.
He added most of all he will miss the students.
“Their willingness to try something new, their dedication to improving and the joy they bring into the choir room every day has made this job incredibly special. Seeing them support one another, grow as musicians, and build confidence both on and off the stage has been truly inspiring,” Davis stated.
“The music we created together and the community we built within the choir program will always stay with me,” he concluded.
New teacher contracts will start on or before Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026 and end on or about Wednesday, May 19, 2027. The new secondary computer science addition is the result of expansion of the academic discipline, which will assist students in obtaining additional experience.
Wright’s contract also begins Aug.5. Her hiring will be cost-saving to APS, as there will not be a need to contract the position.
All resignations and new teacher contracts were unanimously accepted 6-0.
Beth Kernes-Krause, board member, related APS students will be getting teachers with a variety of experiences in education.
Ryan Jones, another board member, stated there was a lot of interest in the open positions, with multiple applicants and a competitive interviewing process. 
The board acknowledged retiring classified staff. Carla Carnahan, nutrition service, 26 years; Julie Mendenhall, nutrition service director eight years and Cathy Krieger, special education administrative professional. Krieger will transition to part-time in August and train her replacement before retiring in October.