Valley Vocal Music Teacher Linda Vanderpool Resigns

Linda Vanderpool, vocal music director at Valley High School, told the Des Moines Register that she is resigning at the end of the school year.

Her departure follows the school board’s recent vote to cut a half-time position from Valley’s vocal program.

Vanderpool said that the staff reduction was not the “primary” reason for her resignation but that it did play a part. “The change in my position factored into my decision making,” she told the newspaper.

Valley's music programs have long been honored, including a National Grammy Signature School designation from the Grammy Awards organization in 1999, the Register said.

Valley’s only other full-time vocal teacher quit a month ago and departed immediately. Since then, the program has been covered by Vanderpool and a substitute, the newspaper reported.

Next year, Vanderpool, who’s been at Valley for 10 years, will be an adjunct professor at Drake University to direct a women’s chorale.