The efforts by our teachers, staff, and families have, enabled us to provide education in ways that are increasingly flexible and supportive of students, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with one another as we build upon the exceptional, educational system and programs we have in Whitefish Schools. In the event that active COVID-19 cases increase to the point of threatening school closures, Kalispell's policy gives Superintendent Micah Hill the authority to implement mandatory face. The framework and assistance are also provided for other cooperatives. Job in Whitefish - Flathead County - MT Montana - USA , 59937. 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. Join to apply for the Principal (Beginning 23/24) role at WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44Principal (Beginning 23/24) role at WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44 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. 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. Paatalo said interest on Facebook is high, but gathering the 2,391 required signatures for each petition in person has been difficult. 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. Previously, they were mandatory for students and staff to curb the spread of the coronavirus. "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. I think strongly recommended can go down with mask required, just as much as it goes up with mask optional.. 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. The district will not screen students coming into schools. Short biographies of each candidate were included in Means email, which was sent out prior to the interviews. The district has 4,500 students and 650 staff. 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.. 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. Montana School Boards Association director Lance Melton maintained Flathead County District Court still will need to determine if the petitions meet legal standards. Elementary School, School Principal, Education Administration. The pandemic is in its 20th month, and so far, 14,003 children aged 0 to 11 have been infected with COVID-19, with 58 of them needing to be hospitalized, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The Columbia Falls School Board voted to make masks optional in June. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career, and Libby, MT 59923 The district said that people with questions or concerns can email info@whitefishschools.org. In 2016 he was named Wyoming Superintendent of the Year. 56 were here. Viewers will be able to provide comments on the candidates responses. P: 406.862.8640 F: 406.862.1507. Her deadline f0r all seven petitions is Dec. 29, and she said shell continue to circulate the petitions in Whitefish. Paatalo said she was not at the Moms for America meeting on Sept. 1 and said she has never heard of the group but she supports parental rights. She also has two years of experience as a dean of students and also held a Title I instruction specialist position. 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. In 2021, there were 84 efforts to recall school boards, according to Ballotpedia. I am inspired by their resilience and positive. The main entrance to the new Muldown Elementary School building. 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. Superintendent As the superintendent of the Whiteford Agricultural School District, it is my sincere pleasure and honor to serve this amazing learning community and school family. Whitefish School District. The board of trustees has established a search committee to plan and organize the process of hiring her replacement. 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. And she said shes dismayed that none of the other board members voiced a concern either: The rest of the board members sat there silent, and not a single one of them said Hold on, I dont think recommend means the same as required. Nobody pushed back on that strange narrative. Beale is currently the principal and superintendent of Fair-Mont-Egan School and has 23 years of experience in education that began with teaching in Maine. Website Disclaimer. Terms of Use | I just got really mad at that meeting, and I spent three weeks writing and researching.. There have been no deaths in the age group. 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. 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 While in Washington, he taught language arts and social studies at the middle school level and coached. His interview will be held on Tuesday, March 7. (Courtesy photos) by WHITNEY ENGLAND Whitefish Pilot | April 22, 2021 1:45 PM Editor's note: This story originally ran in the April 14, 2021 edition of the Whitefish Pilot. "We recognize how challenging the last 17 months have been during this global pandemic," Means said. The superintendent, who earlier appeared at an anti-mask rally with parents in Billings, also said she had attended a Moms for America event in Alexandria, Virginia, one week earlier, and she was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with those moms. Paatalo said the recall came from her own frustrations with the school board meeting. DeVries is the director of Love Lives Here, an anti-discrimination group in the Flathead and part of the Montana Human Rights Network. Mack holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Jamestown College and a masters degree from Northern State University, both located in North Dakota. But Trustee Todd Lengacher told the Daily Montanan the board took a myriad of information into account from a variety of sources, including hours of public comment, letters, advice from medical experts, and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in addition to the survey results in making its decision to mandate masks for K-6 graders. In fact, members of the public did comment at the meeting, even though they didnt have the chance to do so after the motion to require masks was under consideration. The County Superintendent of Schools is elected for a four-year term and must hold a current Montana Teaching Certificate with a minimum of three years teaching experience. Bloom holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the University of Montana and a master of education degree from the University of Portland with an emphasis in supervision and leadership. His approach was focused, calm, collaborative, and reassuring to all those around him, a letter of support written by a handful of district employees notes. But the previous high during the last 13 years was 38 recall attempts in 2010. Privacy Policy As a result, we deliver exceptional client experiences that require . Current. McAdam said the recall effort is a continuation of efforts started during the pandemic by anti-government groups to spread misinformation and sow distrust in local government. Get directions to the Superintendent of Schools. 208-664-8176. The Whitefish School Board will reconsider the mask guidelines when vaccines become available for children younger than 12, or by the Oct. 12 board meeting, Means said. 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. 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. 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. Whitefish School District seeks a Director of Student Services to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. The public forum for both candidates will be next Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Each candidate will have one hour. Superintendent's Message . The Flathead County Election officials told the Whitefish Pilotthey have never dealt with a recall before and are taking the process step by step. Of the 84, only eight have made it to ballots. A campaign to recall all members of the Whitefish school board is underway, The Daily Montanan reports, with supporters arguing trustees ignored parents constitutional rights by not allowing the right of participation when deciding to implement a mask mandate in the district for children not old enough to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 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. Whitefish schools will require masks on public transportation, such as school and activity buses, as required by federal law. 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. 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. Whitefish School District seeks a Principal to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. Beale holds two masters degrees in teaching and learning and school leadership. Orozco has been director of elementary education, then assistant superintendent of elementary education and instruction, since 2015. 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. 406-755-7000. Terms of Use | Kalispell, MT 59901 He settled down in Whitefish though, and his own children have attended Whitefish Schools. Privacy Policy That, however, represents a big drop of 44% in the annual net loss of students to MPS. 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. But the previous high during the last 13 years was 38 recall attempts in 2010. Both candidates are experienced and have students at the forefront of everything they do," Brumley said. This program regulates open burning during those times of the year when it is allowed and issues daily burning restrictions based on data . 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. Shon is from Idaho and wants to return. In a news release, Whitefish Bay School Board President Pam Woodard said Myrahs current leadership position with the district and her previous experiences make her well-suited to provide continuity and vision for the school district. There is a strong commitment to growth for each student in the Whitefish School District and there is also a direct relationship to our success from the support of the Whitefish community and our parents. 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. Whitefish, MT 59937 P: 406.862.8640 F: 406.862.1507 Website Disclaimer Mission- The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career, and citizenship. 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 COEUR dALENE The search for a new Coeur d'Alene School District superintendent has been narrowed to two. 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. Dr. Heather Davis Schmidt has been the Superintendent of the Whitefish School District in Whitefish, Montana, since 2015. 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. Superintendent House requested two changes to the agenda: Cancel the JMG Program - presenter is . Help us tell stories like this one and get other great perks by joining the Editors Club for as little as $5 per month. Superintendent of Schools The County Superintendent of Schools is elected for a four-year term and must hold a current Montana Teaching Certificate with a minimum of three years teaching experience. She has a Master of Education in leadership and administration. They have God-given rights protected by the constitution.. Terms of Use | (Dec. 20, 2022) Coming off of its second community engagement meeting on December 14, Whitefish School District is seeking additional community feedback about the need for expansion at Whitefish High School and the activities complex. Myrah will temporarily fill the position on July 1. In that same month the COVID-19 pandemic made its way into Montana, forcing schools to close and transition into virtual learning, and Means new role became a lot more complicated. Posted 12:00:00 AM. 290 C North Main, Kalispell, MT 59901. Both Bloom and Coyne are current Whitefish School District employees. Im humbled, honored, and just thankful for this opportunity, Means said. 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. Whitefish School District [[upButtonMessage]] full time. The board also made allowances for extenuating circumstances, such as a potential or actual COVID-19 outbreak. Step Two: 1. Currently, we are only able to do fingerprints by appointment only. 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. Gavigan, who has served as superintendent for three years, said Whitefish Bay schools are in good hands with Myrah. Elsie Arntzen, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction, walks into Parental Rights Education Action meeting at . The County Superintendent also fulfills state responsibilities for the home school population. 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. Muldown Elementary School is named after former Whitefish Schools Superintendent, ski pioneer, and prominent community member, Lloyd "Mully" Muldown. But the school district says. Apply Join or sign in to find your next job. 1470 & 1490 Garay Ln #1490-01, Pt Washington, WI 53074 is a 790 sqft, 2 bed, 1 bath home. 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. (School board recalls) are very complicated and barely used, Melton said. We Have Moved! Terms of Use | How much do Whitefish Bay School District employees make? She called the efforts a very strategic way to justify attacks on elected officials and muddle the issue.. powered by Educational Networks . But Paatalo disagreed with Boksichs assertion that recommended could mean required just as much as it could mean optional. See the estimate, review home details, and search for homes nearby. Fax number of the Superintendent of Schools. Our developmental music program provides a solid foundation for Whitefish students as they prepare for Middle and High school music programs. Members Present: Chairperson Pat Jarvi, Dave Fern, Brian McDowell, Eric Hosek, and Ruth Harrison. Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web Accessibility Statement. "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. The office is a liaison between the state and local government units and the taxpayers. 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. 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. Whitefish Bay School District is a top performing district in Wisconsin and the Midwest. My husband now spends significant time traveling, making it much more difficult for our children and us, she said. At parental rights events, speakers encouraged anti-mask proponents to challenge or disregard school policies they disagree with. The Coeur dAlene district has 10,000 students and 1,350 staff. Many have been more than pleased with how Means filled his superintendent roles throughout the pandemic, and that was proven through several letters written to the school board. Email search21@cdaschools.org to submit a question to be considered for the public forum. . Supervisory responsibilities include areas of administration, legal issues, financial oversight, transportation, tuition, school district organization, classification, boundary adjustments, and centralized clerical and record keeping. And when the government moves against it, I would say the government is the one with the movement, not us. packet at the District Office at 600 2nd St E in Whitefish, Monday - Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. 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. Were just kind of trying to hold our ground that weve had since the beginning of time.. Underly, superintendent of the Pecatonica School District in southwest Wisconsin, has the support of many left-leaning groups and unions. Muldown offers a myriad of learning experiences in our K-4 ALPS program. Heather Davis Schmidt will fulfill remainder of school year, search committee to seek replacement. Kalispell, MT 59901 Our young musicians offer music performances for their parents and community throughout the year. The Whitefish School District on Friday sent out a letter to families in the district informing them of a recent investigation regarding communications between a staff member and students. Whitefish Public Schools mission focuses on cultivating and supporting a community . This honor continues to speak to our staff, administration, and the students of Whitefish High School and our entire district. Of the 24 respondents in the WCEA survey, 59 percent voted for an optional or recommended policy, while 41 percent voted for some requirement level. During the meeting, trustees heard input from 41 members of the public. But according to several letters and statements of support from community members, school staff and board members, Means stepped into the role and confidently led the district through a vast amount of unprecedented obstacles. His experience and professional knowledge has enabled him to navigate the changing landscape in a manner that continues to strengthen this district., Means got his start in education by driving school buses while attending the University of Montana because he, enjoyed working with the kids It was just neat to create relationships with kids..