The FBI and local officials say the search for a missing high school teacher has been suspended but that law enforcement will continue to pursue leads in the case.

Sidney Mayor Bret Smelser said Wednesday's decision follows an "exhaustive" search for 43-year-old Sherry Arnold in the Eastern Montana town and surrounding areas. Hundreds of residents, police officers, firefighters and others participated.

The popular high school math teacher was last seen Saturday, when she left her home for a pre-dawn run. Authorities are investigating the possibility she was abducted.

FBI spokeswoman Deborah Bertram said that law enforcement continues to work on the case and personnel will be redirected.

"Today, law enforcement officials determined the prudent course of action is to scale back the ground search for Ms. Arnold," she said. "Public safety personnel and volunteers spent several days searching the area where it's believed she was running when she disappeared."

The search, which began on Jan. 7, involved law enforcement, emergency responders and hundreds of citizens from all over Richland County.