Elementary teacher Hilker resigns; Paige Milner hired Tuesday

    Middle school teacher Shasta Hilker submitted her resignation from Chase County Schools, but board of education members quickly filled the position Tuesday night.
    Hilker completed four years of teaching at CCS. 7-12 Principal Jon Lechtenberg said she took a job closer to her hometown.
    Hired for the open middle school position was Paige Milner, an Imperial native who graduated from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in December with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education K-6.
    K-6 Principal Becky Odens said Milner will tentatively teach grade 5-6 language arts and sixth grade literature, though elementary assignments are not completely set in stone at this point.
    Milner, a 2015 CCS graduate, student-taught at Perkins County Schools in Grant. She’s been serving as a substitute teacher there and at CCS since her UNK graduation.
    Hilker taught in several CCS elementary grades including first, third and fourth. This past school year, she was a grade 5-6 language arts teacher. She’s also been the high school’s one-act play coach.
    Hilker’s resignation was approved on a 7-1 vote. Board member Willy O’Neil said he voted in the negative because “it’s too late in the process and sets a precedent.”
    Milner was hired on an 8-0 vote.

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