Pine River Community Learning Center is known for its GED classes, family literacy programs and helping its students when they need a hand.

But the center is facing difficulties.

On Sept. 14, the learning center announced it had terminated the contract of its director, Cathy Calderwood.

The Bayfield location is not open at this time, and three faculty members are working at the Ignacio campus.

The center’s board is currently working with the Office of Grants Fiscal, a division of the Colorado Department of Education, to complete a financial audit of the center, said Mike Mitchell, the learning center’s board president. The center receives most of its funding from federal and state grants.

He said he couldn’t elaborate beyond that or comment on Calderwood’s firing.

Bobby Duthie, Calderwood’s attorney, said Calderwood was fired, and he sent the center’s board a letter on Sept. 25 demanding the return of money that she had loaned the center.

“I have not yet heard back from them,” Duthie said, adding that he could not comment further at this time.

In the meantime, the board is trying to hire a new director and more teaching staff.

“The Bayfield center is closed temporarily,” Mitchell said. Half of the center’s teaching staff resigned at the end of summer, he said.

Staff at the Ignacio center are teaching GED classes at the center and the La Plata County jail.

They also are offering classes through Eastern Utah State University, as well as community outreach and learner support programs.

“There is so much good the center does,” Mitchell said, adding that he hopes the audit is completed soon and the center can get back to its focus of educating children and adults.