copyright 2023 290 C North Main, Kalispell, MT 59901. In this phase, mask wearing is up to the individual and we will not be screening students every day at the door," Superintendent Wick said in his letter. Whitefish Bay School District | Whitefish Bay WI Superintendent's Message Staff . Matt Jensen, Assistant Superintendent Peter Fusaro, Assistant Superintendent 233 1st Ave East Kalispell, MT 59901 751-3434 Fax: 751-3425 Kila School District #20 Elizabeth English, Principal PO Box 40 Kila, MT 59920 257-2428 Fax: 755-6663 Marion School District #54 Julia Maxwell, Principal 205 Gopher Lane Last spring after an unsuccessful superintendent search to replace former Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt, the district offered the position on an interim basis to Means. School Board Chair Katie Clarke said the school district considered holding another national search for a superintendent like it did last spring before Means agreed to serve in the interim role, but decided the move wasnt necessary. Superintendent's Message . According to the letter, the investigation was conducted by an outside agency and evidence from the investigation indicated that a Whitefish Middle School teacher failed to maintain appropriate, professional correspondence with several students. 1st Place- Teagan Chisholm, 8th grade Whitefish MS, 2nd Place-Clara Patton, 6th Grade Columbia Falls MS, 3rd Place- Lennan O'Connpr, 5th Grade Hedges Elem KSD. Her deadline f0r all seven petitions is Dec. 29, and she said shell continue to circulate the petitions in Whitefish. Still, Cherilyn DeVries, who attended the Moms for American meeting, said Arntzens participation fortified the idea that anti-mask parents have the right to refuse to abide by mask mandates in schools. I fulfill my leadership role and job duties daily with great pride, integrity, and a belief in all children.. I embrace the opportunity to be in a learning environment where everyone pursues knowledge and has the opportunity to learn from diverse and enriching relationships," he said. Orozco has been director of elementary education, then assistant superintendent of elementary education and instruction, since 2015. The Flathead County Election officials told the Whitefish Pilotthey have never dealt with a recall before and are taking the process step by step. She said Fletcher prompted people to start groups and show up to local school board meetings saying, just showing up puts the fear of God in them. Additionally, DeVries said Fletcher told people to have respect for school board members but also made it clear that this was a culture war, telling the crowd, No one has a constitutional right. We want the Whitefish community to be well-informed about expansion information and have an opportunity to provide more feedback regarding our next steps, said Dave Means, superintendent of Whitefish School District. Lengacher, though, said he had no problem with his address being posted online but had issues with part of the intention, which he said he believes was to make school more members lives more difficult. While I welcome spirited debate, I denounce in the strongest manner violent or abusive rhetoric of any sort. Muldown Elementary School is named after former Whitefish Schools Superintendent, ski pioneer, and prominent community member, Lloyd "Mully" Muldown. The statement added that it was important to inform families within the district of the situation and that the district took the appropriate action. Prior to that he was Superintendent of the Big Horn School District in Cowley, Wyoming, from 2007 to 2018. 406-293-4124. energy as they continue to grow on this journey. Under Montana law, a separate recall petition is required for each trustee. Davis Schmidt will continue to fulfill her full responsibilities through the remainder of the school year. Members Present: Chairperson Pat Jarvi, Dave Fern, Brian McDowell, Eric Hosek, and Ruth Harrison. State epidemiologists would later say the move by the governors officespread misinformation. Current. Last week, Arntzen spoke at a parental rights event in Missoula, where speakers vowed to unseat school board trustees in the upcoming election. But no one piece of evidence swayed us one way or another., Lengacher said he also disagrees with the allegations that there was not a reasonable opportunity for citizen participation: The challenge here is that so few people engage with school boards, so there is a lack of understanding of how school boards work and how to engage with them.. Like the other candidates, her career began in the classroom where she served as an intervention teacher, literacy facilitator and district teacher on special assignment in Gilroy Unified School District in Gilroy, California. Title: Food Safety/ QA Superintendent. Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web Accessibility Statement. Whitefish school board recall effort is emblematic of bigger movement. While all attempts are made to insure the correctness and suitability of information under our control and to correct any errors brought to our attention, no representation or guarantee can be made as to the correctness or suitability of that information or any linked information presented, referenced, or implied. 406-755-7000. Apply Join or sign in to find your next job. The two employee unions in the district, the Whitefish Classified Employees Association and the Whitefish Education Association were also surveyed. Dr. Hocker has been Superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools since 2018. "We want the Whitefish community to be well-informed about expansion information and have an opportunity to provide more feedback regarding our next steps," said Dave Means, superintendent of Whitefish School District. She said she was upset the board did not allow for public comment during deliberation among trustees about the mask policy. Our students will one day be, charged with tackling local and global challenges. It is a full-time position due to the large number of independent school districts in Flathead County (23). Travis McAdam, with the Montana Human Rights Network, said the parental rights movement isnt new and has percolated amongst anti-government groups for years. Presenting to the Board/Getting on the Agenda: Board policy stipulates that persons wishing to make a presentation at our board meetings must contact the Superintendent, a minimum of five business days in advance . Terms of Use | Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward Live! His responsibilities in that role included supervising the special education programs, overseeing section 504 plans for students with disabilities, supporting human resources, and working on homelessness and mental health services. Opens in a new tab. WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44 Whitefish, MT. Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. Prior to taking the interim superintendent job, Means worked for 16 years as the director of education services for the school district. The County Superintendent has general supervision of the public schools of the county. Superintendent Means presented for the Board's review, discussion and possible action the 12/13/22 draft Safe Return to In -Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan and the 7/19/22 Whitefish School District COVID -19 Guidelines and Procedures, which includes the latest draft of the Whitefish If Im strongly recommending something, that is what I am urging people to do; thats what I want to happen, Boksich said at the meeting, according to an audio recording shared with the Daily Montanan. Job specializations: Education. In its own way, the resource rivaled the great forest of white pine or the buffaloes on the western plains. Deadline: March 20, 2023 Complete job description & application are available at SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT: Job in Nye - MT Montana - USA , 59061. In his comments about the masking policy, Matt Niel called the school board trustees bullies and narcissists, and he said that hed decide on masks for his kids himself, according tomeeting minutes. Subject matters will come and go. Its an honor to work in an effort to build upon the excellence of education we have in Whitefish. Pre-Decorated Products Youth Mask Colors Pro Fit Mask Colors Neck Gaiter Colors Seamless Mask Colors Ladies Interlock Cardigan Colors Interlock 1/4 Zip Colors Unisex Jersey Long Sleeve Tee Colors Unisex LS PosiCharge Competitor Tee Colors Unisex Fan Favorite Hoodie Colors The trustees unanimously voted to schedule an interview with Micah Hill, who is currently the superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools. She also has credentials in K-8 multiple subject teaching and K-12 administrative services. The post called the mask mandate policy a power grab, by an overbearing school board. McAdam said posting home addresses of public officials is a move used by anti-government groups to intimidate public officials. Whitefish Bay School District is a top performing district in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Superintendent of Schools School Closures School Closures SCHOOL CLOSURE INFORMATION FOR 2023 Flathead County school districts collaborated on the following procedures: All school districts may independently make the final decision about school closures due to inclement weather. "You are a public school board, not a private school board and your deliberations should reflect such," Smith asserted in his letter. In my role as superintendent of Whitefish Schools, I continue to come to work every day excited about the opportunity to serve our students, families, and staff. Laura Myrah, the director of curriculum and instruction for the Whitefish Bay School District, has been appointed to serve as the interim superintendent of the school district. At parental rights events, speakers encouraged anti-mask proponents to challenge or disregard school policies they disagree with. . We have a new location in the Flathead County North Complex. Masks also will be optional but strongly encouraged at Kalispell Public Schools, following a decision by that district's board earlier this week. Even outside the scope of the recall, parents in Whitefish and the Flathead have been agitating against school boards and mask mandates. She has a Master of Education in leadership and administration. Recording of December 14 Community Engagement Meeting, Powerpoint presentation December 14 Community Engagement Meeting, The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. Muldown offers a myriad of learning experiences in our K-4 ALPS program. Of the 84, only eight have made it to ballots. Heather Davis Schmidt will fulfill remainder of school year, search committee to seek replacement. We Have Moved! The Coeur d'Alene district has 10,000 students and 1,350. THE WHITEFISH School District's COVID-19 guidelines and procedures prioritize in-person learning and also have a layered approach to mitigation strategies within school buildings. Superintendent Fisher suggested to the Board that the Weed District follow the Commissioner's lead and suspend any activity planned for management of aquatic weeds. Some school board members that spoke with the Daily Montanan said they have received offensive messages but nothing that has escalated to the point of violent threats. Join or sign in to find your next job. Im just truly, have been and continue to be inspired by all of you, our community, our educators, and how weve come together.. The teacher, who the district did not identify, chose to resign from his position during the course of the investigation, according to the district. He also said he understood what he was signing up for: Part of our job is to make difficult decisions, and those decisions will be met with disconnect and disagreement, and that is part of the work.. I am honored to work with such outstanding staff and our board of trustees who are committed to supporting each student to achieve at the highest level. Myrah received an elementary education degree from Concordia University Wisconsin, a masters degree in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, and an educational specialist degree equivalency in school administration through St. Marys University of Minnesota. powered by Educational Networks . copyright 2023 Whitefish were everywhere--in all the lakes and on all the shores. "I look forward to building on my existing relationship with students, staff, parents, and community members to not only continue our tradition of excellence but to enhance and expand it. 312 E. Second Street Hocker and Orozco will also meet with district administrators, principals and teachers and will participate in a one-hour public forum to be live-streamed on the district's YouTube channel. Elsie Arntzen, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction, walks into Parental Rights Education Action meeting at . Hill transitioned from principal of Glacier High School in Kalispell to . Department: Technical Services. After the Montana Legislature took action to limit the power of local health boards, he said the fight to rally conservatives shifted to school boards. Whitefish, MT 59937 It is a full-time position due to the large number of independent school districts in Flathead County (23). Of the 84, only eight have made it to ballots. 600 East 2nd St. Whitefish, MT 59937 . Zeroing in on the mask issue has moved away from even being about masks to being about freedom., He said he understands the frustration coming from parents, but he would like the tone of discussions to be less strident: They feel powerless in some way around their childs wellbeing, and I will never begrudge a parent for standing up for their child, but how we are doing it is not the most productive way.. But youre their champion government, is not it.. Privacy Policy Listing for: Whitefish School District. Listed on 2023-03-02. The public may tune in at www.youtube.com/c/cdaschools271 to watch the sessions. Some parents have reported their children are long haulers, experiencing serious symptoms, such as heart problems and the inability to read due to vertigo, for weeks. Whitefish School District seeks a Principal to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. Fletcher has been quoted multiple times saying, we will not co-parent with the government, a phrase that appeared on many signs at a recent parental rights rally at the Montana State Capitol. Libby, MT 59923 Any questions should be directed to the administrators of this or any other specific sites. Davis Schmidt announced last November that she was entering her final contract with the district due to family reasons, namely that her husbands company had merged with a larger out-of-state firm. If face coverings are optional and the number of active COVID-19 cases in Flathead County increase to the point of threatening school closures, the Board of Trustees authorizes the superintendent to implement a requirement for face coverings to be worn in identified District buildings until such time as the Board of Trustees can adopt an applicable district requirement, the policy said. The office includes the superintendent, Cal Ketchum, a finance technician, Cheryl Morgan, and an administrative assistant. Vice-Chair Schellinger Curriculum Director Bloom . Whitefish School District seeks a Principal to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. We will continue to strive to make decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of our district.". After the vote in Whitefish, a profile with an apparent stock photo for a profile picture that does not appear to exist anymore posted the addresses of all the school board members to the Whitefish United Facebook page. Were just kind of trying to hold our ground that weve had since the beginning of time.. Bundy capitalized on the pandemic when he started the Peoples Rights Network to fight back against public health measures being implemented by local health boards. Community members may view the recording of the December 14 meeting, including the PowerPoint that was presented, as well as provide more feedback by completing an online survey that will be open until January 16. Our new building opened in the 2020-2021 school year just up the street from the old Muldown site which is now the district annex building. Laura Myrah is a strong leader with a vision of education that complements the districts beliefs and strategic direction," she said. Shepreviously served as an elementary school principal in the Elmbrook School District and West Bend Joint School District and a coordinator for gifted and talented education and an elementary and middle school teacher in the Port WashingtonSaukville School District. The board last week voted to offer Means a three-year contract for the position, and is expected to vote on the final contract next month. "We will continue, as required, with contact tracing and quarantining anyone within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more of a confirmed case," Wick said. Contact Us Bulldog Tip Line (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org News & Announcements 2023-2024 Incoming Freshmen Q & A The WHS Counselors will be available at the Junior High Parent Teacher Conferences on 3/2/3023, to answer any questions you may have regarding your student's high school registration. Meeting participants discussed the current need for exploring expansion options, reviewed initial design concepts, cost estimates, and taxpayer impact, and were offered opportunities to give additional feedback. When you have the State Superintendent of Public Schools encouraging parents to organize against school board decisions, its alarming. If my employer said to me, I recommend that you go and do such and so to me, that is not like its your option, so I think its kind of in-between, it could go with one side, or it could go with the other, Boksich said in the recording. A bit about us: We are a family company; we believe each project is an opportunity to unite the shared values of all, building it to create something significant. 208-664-8176. (School board recalls) are very complicated and barely used, Melton said. "In Phase III, there are several elements that continue as precautions for the spread of disease, including extra sanitation, social distancing, frequent hand washing, and students and staff staying home when sick and symptomatic. Our school district is truly an exceptional place to learn." After the unanimous approval by the board to offer him the contract, Means expressed his gratitude for the support and his readiness to continue leading the district. I just got really mad at that meeting, and I spent three weeks writing and researching.. Parental rights have become another tool to recruit community members to show up and protest mask mandates and other things, McAdam said. Means is originally from Missoula and also spent time working in Bozeman and Kodiak, Alaska, in his earlier years beginning his career in education. "She also leads with balance and integrity, addressing issues with sensitivity, tact, and skill, while respecting differing points of view.. Beale holds two masters degrees in teaching and learning and school leadership. Hocker has been superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools since 2018. "We recognize how challenging the last 17 months have been during this global pandemic," Means said. The person selected will replace outgoing Principal Linda Whitright, who is retiring at the end of the school year, capping 28 years at Whitefish School District. The union surveys were the only two to feature a strongly recommended policy, while the family and non-union employee surveys only listed a recommended option. We are also looking forward to our staff and community getting a chance to meet them and share their thoughts.". Chairwoman Jen Brumley said the board feels very fortunate to have two excellent candidates. 2023 Flathead Beacon, All Rights Reserved. "If face coverings are optional and the number of active COVID-19 cases in Flathead County increase to the point of threatening school closures, the Board of Trustees authorizes the superintendent to implement a requirement for face coverings to be worn in identified district buildings until such time as the Board of Trustees can adopt an applicable district requirement," Means said in his email. The Coeur d'Alene School Board will interview the candidates next Thursday and Friday. A new Muldown Elementary principal is anticipated to be announced in the coming week, according to an email sent to families from Whitefish School District Superintendent Dave Means. Join to apply for the Principal (Beginning 23/24) role at WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44Principal (Beginning 23/24) role at WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44 44 and High School met in regular session on November 10, 2009 in the District Board Meeting Room. Feedback for the board on the public forum sessions may also be sent to search21@cdaschools.org no later than 3 p.m. April 16. copyright 2023 Terms of Use | Her resignation press release noted that she continues to be humbled by the support of the Whitefish community, the quality of educators and the opportunity shes been given to serve.. MCPS school board selects 1 applicant for superintendent interview . His district has 4,500 students and 650 staff members. I did this early because it is critical to the success of Whitefish Schools and our students that we ensure a smooth transition, including the time and opportunity for the Trustees to hire the next Superintendent of Whitefish Schools, Davis Schmidt said in an Oct. 23 statement. 1 . Dave Means by WHITNEY ENGLAND Whitefish Pilot | January 23, 2021 12:00 AM With overwhelming support from the Whitefish School Board, administrators, staff and community members, Whitefish. In Missoula, participants at the meeting this week also discussed gathering again to continue their plans to elect members of their parental rights movement to the school board. But the previous high during the last 13 years was 38 recall attempts in 2010. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Arts in educational leadership with an endorsement in administration before moving back to Montana. At the September 1 Moms for America meeting in Whitefish, speakers including Kimberly Fletcher, president of the group, reinforced the idea that anti-mask parents have the right to refuse to abide by mask mandates in schools. The district still will offer remote learning for students who choose not to go to school in person. The two biggest school districts in the North Valley will take opposite approaches to mask requirements when the school year starts in a couple weeks. Six. Listed on 2023-02-28. "We are rallying, not only to have our voices heard regarding the clear disregard for the popular opinion and over reaching mandate, but we are rallying as a community that is tired of watching the policies being pushed upon our community by like-minded individuals as yourselves.". The Columbia Falls School Board voted to make masks optional in June. Laura Myrah, the director of curriculum and instruction for the Whitefish Bay School District, has been appointed to serve as the interim superintendent of the school district. For me, the important thing out of that survey is that it was a clear indication that there was a wide set of opinions in our community, Lengacher said. Whitefish School District. There is also a Bulldog tip line available on each school website. Even outside the scope of the recall, parents in Whitefish and the Flathead have been agitating against school boards and mask mandates. In 2018 he received the CSPD Leadership Award for Region V in Montana, which is an award recognizing leaders who have positively impacted the lives of paraeducators and students. Get directions to the Superintendent of Schools. Whitefish School District Other jobs like this full time Published on www.jobposting.com 27 Feb 2023 Position Vacancy Muldown Elementary Principal beginning 23/24 school year. Nasello is currently principal of Hirsch Elementary in Tracy, California, a position shes held since 2019. Myrah will temporarily fill the position on July 1. The letter also noted that the situation did not rise to a level of needing to report it to local law enforcement, but the district administration and the school board of trustees followed legal guidance and protocols by informing the appropriate state education entities. Please know that the district takes communication among and between students, staff and families very seriously and we are here to help respond to concerns you may have, Whitefish superintendent Dave Means wrote in the letter. He settled down in Whitefish though, and his own children have attended Whitefish Schools. Paatalo said the recall came from her own frustrations with the school board meeting. She also has two years of experience as a dean of students and also held a Title I instruction specialist position. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Arntzen spoke at a parental rights event in Missoula. And because of that, they were all sort of complicit., And Paatalo said in an email its not just about masks: Masking is only the subject matter. The office is administrative - performing duties outlined by state law, the Board of Public Education, and the Office of Public Instruction. Both Bloom and Coyne are current Whitefish School District employees. Mack started his career in education as a teacher with experience teaching second through eighth grade on San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in San Carlos, Arizona, and in the North Dakota towns of Stanley and Jamestown. That, however, represents a big drop of 44% in the annual net loss of students to MPS. I am inspired by their resilience and positive. Team Leader, Operations Manager, General Manager, Maintenance Manager. Trustee Shannon Hanson also said that being under the watchful eye of citizens is part of the job, and he welcomes efforts to hold school boards accountable to the law. Published on www.firebrickgroup.com 26 Feb 2023. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The goal is control, and when it comes to schools, it is about deconstructing an institution that they have not liked for a long time, he said. Website Disclaimer. Mack is principal of Roosevelt Elementary in Dickinson, North Dakota, a position hes held for 16 years. Prior to teaching in Whitefish, she taught grades second and fourth in Kelso, Washington, for six years and served as a K-8 summer school director for two years. Supervisory responsibilities include areas of administration, legal issues, financial oversight, transportation, tuition, school district organization, classification, boundary adjustments, and centralized clerical and record keeping. Gifted and Talented. We have many resources to help our community learn more and continue our conversation about the future growth of Whitefish High School.. Two community members and a student will ask the same set of questions selected from public suggestions. And when the government moves against it, I would say the government is the one with the movement, not us. Privacy Policy "I am blessed with an ability to love and understand people and what motivates them.". Prior to that, he was principal of an elementary school on Minot Air Force Base and was principal of Central Elementary in Tioga, North Dakota. On behalf of the Whitefish School District's Board of Directors, we do thank all citizens for attending our scheduled Board meetings. WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.44Position . Currently, we are only able to do fingerprints by appointment only. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates . The superintendent shall coordinate with the county health department and Board Chair to determine whether face coverings are a necessary response to a potential or actual COVID-19 outbreak., Paatalo also said the board, in failing to allow for public comment after Boksich interpreted the survey results, violated Montanas Constitutional Right of Participation. See the estimate, review home details, and search for homes nearby.