The East Helena Public Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a separation agreement with teacher Erik Pritchard, whose employment will end June 30, 2026, following months of controversy surrounding his classroom conduct.

The agreement was negotiated between the school district's attorneys and the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the union that represents public school teachers. Separation agreements of this type typically allow both parties to avoid a lengthier termination process while still ending the employment relationship — and often include confidentiality provisions that limit what either side can say publicly about the circumstances.

The unanimous board vote suggests there was no dissent among trustees about the outcome, even if the path to get there involved formal union negotiation. Pritchard's specific conduct and the nature of the controversy were not detailed in available source material at press time, but the case drew enough attention to require a negotiated resolution rather than a routine departure.

For East Helena families, the June 30 separation date means Pritchard will be off the district's payroll before the start of the next school year. The district has not announced plans to fill his position.