You have an incomplete application for Whitefish School Board Meetings are held in the school board meeting room at 600 East Second Street, Whitefish, Montana. Time: 6:00 PM. He spent 20 years as an educator, 10 of those in administration, and has a masters in mathematics. Post administrative/clerical jobs for free; apply online for Education / School Secretary job Montana, USA. Staff Directory District Overview Directions 406.862.8640 Email Directions. Our schools have implemented multiple intervention strategies for those students in need of additional support through mentoring and individual tutoring. 1118 East 7th St., One of the things that drew her to Whitefish, which she discovered on a ski vacation with friends, was that people were friendly and the community. Drama students in both the middle and high school have opportunities to participate in one act plays, full production plays, and may be viewed by students and by the community alike on several performance dates. But in addition to those interests, Lengacher has an even stronger passion to serve in the local community. I just think theres lots of possibilities for us to continue to be innovative given the relatively small size and the support for education in Whitefish.. Whitefish, MT 59937 Coordinators & Supervisors: 4.00: Total Guidance Counselors: As the election approaches, Kearns hopes voters will keep in mind that although shes new to living in Whitefish, she understands the community and just has a desire to serve for the betterment of local education. She acknowledges the challenges the pandemic caused in the educational setting, but also respects the decisions the district made by implementing the hybrid in person and online model. (Provided photos). Written public correspondence can be submitted by emailing the Trustees at trustees@whitefishschools.org or by a written letter sent to the Whitefish School District Trustees at 600 East Second Street, Whitefish, MT 59937. His wife has a masters in public health and has been highly involved in infection mitigation in Montana during the pandemic. P: (406) 862-8688 F: (406) 862-2586. Children are the future of our country, and I believe it is essential for their success to provide them with a solid educational foundation that is instruction-based and not agenda-driven. Although she doesnt have any children of her own yet, she loves spending time with kids and volunteering in programs serving youth. Utilizing resources efficiently can be challenging. First and foremost I just want to volunteer my time and energy to better the community, he said. But one main reason is to give back to the community. Affordable housing is an issue for many in the community, and this includes school personnel. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, What really drew me here was the people that live here they have these wonderful qualities of really fierce independence and strength, coupled with a very strong sense of community, Kearns said. The city and outlying areas compose a population of 10,000 citizens. Trustees serve in staggered three-year terms. Todd Lengacher has a vast amount of experience in education coupled with a strong desire to be involved in the community and local schools. History & Computer Coding Teacher. Serving my community and being involved in building and shaping my community in positive ways is important to me. In my opinion, the most significant challenge is coming out of the pandemic both academically and emotionally. Why are you the best candidate for this position and what will you bring to the board if elected? Thats something she believes every child should have. Jerrie taught all grades in many classroom positions from K to 8, including 14 years of Gifted and Talented, curriculum development and teacher training. Note that applications are not being accepted from your jurisdiction for this job currently via this jobsite. Kearns and her family moved to Whitefish in September 2020, although they have been coming to the area to visit often since her husbands family has owned a cabin in Essex for many years. Location: WMS - PAC. Vocal Music Students begin their quest for vocal music at Muldown Elementary and Whitefish Middle School show casing their talents at local district and building level events. Positions open: 3\nTerm: 3 years\nDeadline for candidate filing: Thursday March 23, 2023 at 4:30pm at the District Office\n\nPlease pick up the candid. I have a lot of skills and different perspectives and talents to offer in my service so I just felt really strongly that I should jump into that Kearns said. The election will be held on May 3 at the Whitefish School District Board Room, 600 East Second Street. Of course were outdoor enthusiasts, so that was the first appeal; then the great schools, the fantastic gym, the theater, the awesome town, the airport. Three years ago the outdoor-loving family visited Whitefish and Glacier National Park while looking for a location to call home after Diehl retired from the military. 1118 East 7th St., Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School. Having spent so much time in education and that I am connected to it in different ways, going back to the thread of wanting to be involved in the community its a pretty obvious way given my work experience, he said. Family: Husband Kyle is a Whitefish High School alum, daughter seventh grade at Whitefish Middle School, and son fourth grade at Muldown Elementary. P: (406) 862-8688 There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. Bennetts and her family moved to the Flathead Valley in 2004, then settled into Whitefish 10 years later. Whitefish School District #44 is located in the scenic resort community of Whitefish, Montana. I am a Whitefish native and graduate of Whitefish Schools; I greatly value the educational opportunities offered by our schools. Terms of Use | Bennetts expressed great respect for the current board members, administrators, district staff and everyone already involved in the district. He also would like to have a positive influence by helping to elevate the board itself. Three years ago Lengacher and his family moved to Whitefish and chose this town specifically based on the size and the community. The election is May 4 and the mail-in ballots are scheduled to be sent out on April 14 and arrive in voters mailboxes by next week. F: (406) 730-2176, 600 East 2nd St. Copyright2005-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) -PowerSchool Group LLC and/or its affiliate(s), WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT600 East Second StreetWhitefish, MT 5993740686286404068621507. Her oldest daughter will start at Muldown in the fall. My degree from an elite university demonstrates my commitment to providing pathways to higher education for all students. It is there she met her husband, Kyle, a Whitefish native. She and her husband, Ray, both taught in the Whitefish schools for their entire teaching careers. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot). The foundation has received several donations from Alumni, business leaders, and other individuals who value education and have provided gifts of stock, bonds, estate holdings and other financial resources. She served on the local and state Reading Councils and made many presentations at those as well as at the International Reading Association. Trustees serve in staggered three-year terms. I see the school district doing lots of good work, he said. Lengacher has long family ties to the valley as his inlaws have owned property on Flathead Lake for many years. Mr. Josh Branstetter Principal Mr. Tyler Jones Assistant Principal Teachers. They have an 8 year old daughter who loves horseback riding and her friends. I see the school district doing lots of good work, he said. But now I think its time to continue along the same path in whatever the community and school district decide is the next marker. Full Time position. All responses are in the words of the candidates and edited only for style. Show Calendar. Various art shows have displayed student works across the county, state and at the national level. Quincy Bennetts was born and raised as a 4th generation Montanan in Great Falls, Montana graduating in 1997 from Great Falls High. Whitefish, MT 59937 In the past she worked for a nonprofit that partnered with schools to deliver extended programming this work helped her grow to recognize the struggles that teachers and students face daily. Pet exams oftentimes turn into conversations about our lives, families and various community topics. And given his background in education, he feels like the Whitefish School Board would be a good fit. Lengacher added that he believes all involved in the school district right now are doing wonderful things, but given the support for schools in Whitefish the door is wide open for even more improvements. And I feel well informed just given the proximity to my wifes work.. Emily Morrow believes that children are one of the most important demographics and has been committed to serving kids in many ways throughout her life. A strong educational program K-12 exists for all students. After staying a week in Whitefish, Diehl says it just felt like home. Ballots for those registered as absentee should have already hit the mailboxes in Whitefish and are due back to the Whitefish School District Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Community service projects are greatly encouraged. I am not only familiar with all the topics that need to be addressed, but I will also continue to put my energy into providing a welcoming and enriching education for all students and creating a positive working environment for our staff. Todd Lengacher is honored to join the board in the spring of 2021. As a parent of young children, working in the service industry and a woman of color, its clear this perspective is absent in our communitys leadership. Ray and Jerries family include 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren plus 24 exchange students who have all attended the Whitefish schools. 6th Grade and Intervention Teacher. Quincy married Joel Shehan in 2001, and together they moved to the Flathead Valley in 2004. Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School. DECA is the youngest activity at WHS with students taking several honors across the state and a national championship that included international competitors. He also currently serves on the North Valley Food Bank and Whitefish Education Foundation boards, and is the executive director of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northwest Montana program. Her favorite part of serving the community in this volunteer role is getting to visit the schools and see learning in action. He and his wife were married on their family property on Flathead Lake and eventually moved to Whitefish in 2018. Giving solid leadership direction along with flexibility, I think thats kind of the best you can hope for.. Morrow moved to Whitefish one year ago in search of a friendly place to settle down and potentially start a family. I will stand up for our children, parents and teachers by seeking to level the playing field for all. She also teaches communication courses at the college level. Muldown elementary School. Choices of program include orchestra, band and the drum line. I definitely want to come with the intention of open mindedness to the position, she said. School Board governance is a non-partisan position that carries a wide range of responsibilities and duties. One of the things that drew her to Whitefish, which she discovered on a ski vacation with friends, was that people were friendly and the community. Two incumbents, Darcy Schellinger and Elizabeth Pitman, are seeking reelection while three new candidates are also running. To support the ongoing work of this site, we display non-personalized Google ads in EEA countries which are targeted using contextual information only on the page. I am running for reelection as there is a direct correlation between high student achievement outcomes and low board member turnover. P: (4069 862-8600 Privacy Policy Student publications include the high school newspaper, The Bulldog Breeze, the literary publication, Snow Ghosts, and the annual WHS year book. And I really am supportive of standardized curriculum to support teachers, but at the same time not constrain their ability to be flexible.. I have served four months as a school trustee, mentored students by providing shadowing experiences in the veterinary field and volunteering annually for Expanding Your Horizons, a national STEM event to introduce girls to careers and role models in their communities. Whitefish, MT 59937 They have been involved in the Whitefish Winter Carnival in many capacities for 30 years including serving as the King and Queen of the carnival in 2016. Elizabeth is a Veterinarian at Alpine Animal Hospital in Whitefish. With COVID and the influx of new people in Whitefish, she sees that the community togetherness is starting to become divisive. Current trustees Ruth Harrison and Betsy Kohnstamm both . In 2017 she said her family had a tough time after her husband was involved in a tragic avalanche accident in Glacier National Park. Admin Assistant, Clerical, Office Administration, Healthcare Administration. Having spent so much time in education and that I am connected to it in different ways, going back to the thread of wanting to be involved in the community its a pretty obvious way given my work experience, he said. I applaud the boards decision to use COVID recovery funds for mental health resources, and there should be continued effort to look at factors impacting students and solutions at a systemic level. As far as how the district handled COVID-19 and reopening schools, she supports the decisions made regarding the hybrid teaching model. Whitefish Bay School District schools for this district: NCES District ID: 5516620: State District ID: WI-6419: Mailing Address: 1200 E Fairmount Ave Whitefish Bay, WI 53217-6099: . Bennetts says she was inspired to run for school board for a number of reasons including wanting to help make sure every child has access to an excellent education. I think they did a really good job of managing an impossible situation.. I have a lot of skills and different perspectives and talents to offer in my service so I just felt really strongly that I should jump into that Kearns said. Although Diehl has never served on a school board before, he believes his leadership experience from his military career would be an asset to the Whitefish School Board. Our on-line Virtual High School (VHS) is open to students beginning in the 8th grade through high school. Mr. Dave Means Superintendent Mrs. Lucie Shea Director of Business/District Clerk Lisa Bloom Director of Curriculum and Instruction . Currently Jerrie is also serving on the Alpine Theater Project Board of Directors. As an accomplished soccer player, I have helped local soccer teams by assisting in coaching. Although Diehl has never served on a school board before, he believes his leadership experience from his military career would be an asset to the Whitefish School Board. Our community is experiencing unprecedented growth and this increase in population impacts our students and our staff. Current trustees Ruth Harrison and Betsy Kohnstamm both decided not to run for reelection. Students are expected to complete a rigorous academic program from kindergarten through grade 12. Muldown Elementary School; Whitefish Middle School; Whitefish High School; Whitefish Independent High School . But also with Whitefish Superintendent Dave Means only being a year into his new role and then a new principal starting at Muldown in the fall, she believes there will be challenges associated with the changes in leadership. When I talk about moving here and being in the school district, I understand that those values exist here, and I want to guard those and keep those.. While most recently living in Seattle, his family was coming out to the Flathead Valley more often and developing a stronger desire to stay in Montana. ! If elected, Lengacher says other priorities would include understanding the impact that the pandemic has had on education and also how its accelerated the income, education and Access gap within the community. In 2017 she said her family had a tough time after her husband was involved in a tragic avalanche accident in Glacier National Park. We must eradicate the pop politics of the public square to preserve their innocence so they can put their energy into building skills to achieve after high school and build a life for themselves. Although she doesnt have any children of her own yet, she loves spending time with kids and volunteering in programs serving youth. Whitefish School District and the surrounding community is bordered by the Rocky Mountains, Whitefish Lake and the Flathead Valley communities of Columbia Falls and Kalispell. Whitefish School District #44 is located in the scenic resort community of. Especially in Whitefish, it's a small community so your actions can have a direct and immediate impact.. The board should support all parents, despite personal differences. I feel like the hybrid model was a balance of the needs of maintaining safety as well as recognizing in-person education is invaluable.. $570,000. The opportunity for public comment and participation during a school board meeting is provided by attending the school board meeting in-person. Staff. that has not been submitted. The support, compassion and care we have shown each other as a community needs to continue as we deal with ongoing issues relating to the pandemic. A close family friend, Ben Parsons, passed away from the accident and Bennetts says the community of Whitefish stepped up to support her family during the hardship. Kearns would like to help mend that and wants to start by serving on the school board. In addition, I have extensive business experience dealing with budgets, personnel and scheduling, and I have held many volunteer roles in the community. Zac Andrews, Montana West Realty, Active. Five trustee candidates are running for two open spots on the Whitefish School Board. The district is engaged with leaders in the community to work towards affordable housing solutions. Website Disclaimer. Whitefish Bay Schools | An Exceptional Place to Learn | Whitefish Bay . Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community Fall sports of cross country, football, golf, soccer and volleyball have consistently won state titles. It has all the elements that makes it so appealing to all of us. Background: Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota; Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College; Former CEO and CFO of multiple dental offices; former President and VP of Austin Youth Hockey Association; former assistant high school hockey coach; former volunteer EMT and firefighter; volunteer for North Valley Search and Rescue. Following in her grandparents and parents Griz Alumni footsteps, she attended the University of Montana in Missoula earning a Bachelors in Exercise Science, and graduate degree with a Masters in Physical Therapy. org. Thats something she believes every child should have. Ms. Rachel Anderson . Ms. Catey Nasello Principal Mr. John Coyne Assistant Principal . The high school is almost at student capacity with the growth of our community. I definitely want to come with the intention of open mindedness to the position, she said. Postal Service and in award winning magazines. I feel like the hybrid model was a balance of the needs of maintaining safety as well as recognizing in-person education is invaluable.. In the 2022 Whitefish School District election, there are five trustee candidates running for two open positions. Trustees - School Board - School Board - Whitefish School District Trustees If you would like to email all of the school board trustees please send your email to trustees@whitefishschools. Three years ago Lengacher and his family moved to Whitefish and chose this town specifically based on the size and the community. I come from a long line of teachers as well, children are just extremely important. Since then shes wanted to find a way she could leverage her skillset and contribute to the betterment of the community running for school board seemed like a great opportunity to do just that. WHS students have the additional opportunity to take part in a variety of interest clubs: Weightlifting, Young Democrats, Math, National Honor Society, United Students, Key Club, Young Life, Computer Club, French and Spanish Clubs. 600 East 2nd St. Whitefish, MT 59937 . There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. Each building has a PTA Volunteer Coordinator who would gladly assist you with your unique skills that may be shared with staff and students. Students also have the option of attending Flathead Valley Community College by taking classes of their choice in the Running Start program. Yes, take me to my job application. The family enjoys skiing, spending time outdoors and fishing, Lengacher himself says given a free day he would be out on a river fly fishing. He also would like to have a positive influence by helping to elevate the board itself. She had a great public schooling experience all the way from kindergarten through her postsecondary education at University of Montana, and knows her education has allowed her many opportunities in life. And out of the variety of ways to participate in building and shaping my community, serving on the school board is a great fit given my skills and experiences. Lastly, the lack of affordable housing is having a direct impact on hiring and retaining staff. It's a tumultuous time, and we must fight against the spirit of the age's attempt to create a new normal for our kids. Candidates listed in alphabetical order by last name: Occupation: Dentist (disabled due to a hand injury), stay-at-home mom. Transparency of politically charged curriculum is a must, but not enough. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in . I understand the importance of working as a team and invite differences in opinion which results in more creative problem-solving. From his service in the military he has a vast amount of senior leadership experience, most notably in the U.S. Embassy in two different countries Thailand and Bolivia. While most recently living in Seattle, his family was coming out to the Flathead Valley more often and developing a stronger desire to stay in Montana. Im actually looking forward to, if I were on the board, helping begin to make a plan for that, he expressed. The mental, emotional and physical well-being of our students, staff and entire community have been impacted by living with a pandemic for the last two years. I bring accountability, when I tell someone Im going to do something, I do it; it doesnt matter if it feels uncomfortable.. Spring programs consist of track & field, tennis and softballBulldog state track titles - boys (8), girls (3)Tennis state titles - boys (7), girls (1). He has worked as a teacher, administrator, and program director for over 20 years. Staff Directory Photo Album Contact Us Bulldog Tip Line (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org News & Announcements 2023 School Board Trustee Election Information Positions open: 3 Term: 3 years Deadline for candidate filing: Thursday March 23, 2023 at 4:30pm at the District Office She served as the local American Cancer Society Education Director for many years. If elected he says his first task would just be to listen to the issues at hand and learn from the trustees, administrators and community members. The biggest challenge is to meet the needs and bring kids to a place thats up to speed with what we can give them as far as care and nurturing.. The District is proud of our proactive and dedicated PTA that serves staff and student in numerous ways throughout the school year. I think were a growing economy in Whitefish; the challenge would be to serve every member of the community and know what their needs are because theyre coming from all different directions of the country, Morrow said. F: (406) 730-2176, 600 East 2nd St. In addition to her work with schools, she also has experience in mediation. Student must have advanced computer skills for on-line success with VHS offerings. The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. How do we all catch up after the last year to two years of interrupted educational experiences and make sure were serving all these kids not just their educational needs but the extreme stress and emotional burden that theyve been carrying, she said. Terms of Use | The queer community has become a targeted group recently and this should be addressed at the district level. (Enter less keywords for more results. Visual Arts The districts visual arts programs begin at the elementary level and truly excel at the high school level. Ms. Catey Nasello Principal Mr. John Coyne Assistant Principal . From the outside looking in, Whitefish is a contentious area because we have so many people strongly anchored in opposing beliefs. I am not privy to the inside workings of the schools, and all my dealings with any staff have exceeded my expectations. She has a bachelor's in fine arts and communications, and currently working on her master's degree in professional counseling. F: (406) 862-2586, 1143 E. 4th St., Business expansions have helped solidify the district's tax base. Staff and students have received training in the Montana Behavior Institute, ASIST program, Student Assistance Training program, Second Step, Respect of Us and Stop, Talk, Walk. District Calendar 22-23 rev_1-11-22.pdf (38 KB) During the pandemic and these generally difficult times, young peoples mental health has suffered. 312 E. Second Street Ive been in senior leadership positions quite often and understand the difficulties presented, he explained. Through this work she developed a skill set that she believes would be beneficial to have on the Whitefish School Board. Search: There is no staff matching your search criteria Teachers. It reminded me of home people waved to me, they were friendly, they were genuine, she said. Business Teacher. She also lived in Essex for a summer season working at the Snow Slip Inn in 2009. Having lived in different places, and living in Seattle, we were looking for a place where we could have more of a direct impact on the community he said. Whitefish Schools have strong community support and I can use my open line of communication to continue to make the community feel connected and engaged. Location: Whitefish School District Board Room 600 East Second Street Whitefish, MT 59937. Previously served on the Whitefish Rotary board, Childrens House Montessori and Flathead Youth Home boards. Family: Married to Bill Paatalo; three kids and one due this week. NEW - 2 DAYS AGO 2.46 ACRES. For more information on the election call the district office at 862-8640. Use of Browser Cookies: Functions on this site such as Search, Login, Registration Forms depend on the use of "Necessary Cookies". What is the most important issue(s) facing the Whitefish School District right now and how would you work to address it? Although new to living fulltime in Whitefish, Kearns didnt want to wait any longer to get involved in the community. I am very dedicated; if I decide to do something I give it my all, she said. And looking forward he would welcome contributing to the board as a trustee as they make further decisions regarding the pandemic, such as decisions involving vaccinations. Lastly she added that with skills shes obtained through her career combined with her hardworking attitude she knows she could make a positive impact if elected to the board. I think Im really interested in vision and goal planning with the district and getting involved in that process..