After nearly four years at Elmira High School, health teacher and football coach Bo Highburger announced his resignation from the district in early May.
Highburger and his wife, Eleanor, recently welcomed baby daughter Leona Lee, and have now decided to move to Scappoose to be closer to family. He has been on parental leave and will not return to the school except for special events.
Highburger has accepted a football coaching job with Scappoose High School and a role as a building substitute teacher.
“This decision was not made lightly, as we are both very happy in our current positions,” Highburger wrote in an email to EHS staff. “The urge to be near other family members, and access to affordable child care were the main driving forces behind the decision for our family.”
He said that during his stay at Elmira, he found a purpose and direction for his life and is grateful to have a family here.
“Thank you to everyone who made the last 3.5 years so special for my family and I,” he wrote. “I feel lucky to have worked at a school like Elmira, and even more lucky to have spent time with people like you along the way. This isn’t a ‘goodbye,’ it’s a ‘see you later!'”
Varsity football cameraman Spencer Stone told Falcon News what he thinks about Highburger’s departure.
“Bo is such a genuine and nice person to be around, and it really sucks to see him leave the district,” Stone said. “In my opinion, he was one of the best teachers we had at the school, and I was excited to see where our football program could go with him steering the ship.”
Tessa Slager, who formerly worked in the library at EHS, has been the substitute teacher for Highburger’s classes and will be his official replacement next year.
