and Whitefish have experienced significant population growth and property inflation in recent years, more so than others . Vice-Chair Schellinger Curriculum Director Bloom . Myrah will temporarily fill the position on July 1. 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. 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. Chairwoman Jen Brumley said the board feels very fortunate to have two excellent candidates. 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. Currently, we are only able to do fingerprints by appointment only. 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 "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. And when the government moves against it, I would say the government is the one with the movement, not us. She previously served as the Executive Regional Director of the. she said. 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. 1 . District 203 superintendent honored by state association. Whitefish school board recall effort is emblematic of bigger movement. Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web Accessibility Statement. The Coeur d'Alene School Board will interview the candidates next Thursday and Friday. So, I guess, I look at this survey in a different way. Superintendent House requested two changes to the agenda: Cancel the JMG Program - presenter is . 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 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. Job in Whitefish - Flathead County - MT Montana - USA , 59937. She holds a bachelors degree from California State University, in Fresno, California and a master's degree from Concordia University in Irvine, California. Website Disclaimer. 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. We have a new location in the Flathead County North Complex. People are already feeling emboldened to claim their rights are being violated when they dont agree with decisions by elected officials, DeVries said. Full Time position. Mr. Fisher further indicated that the Weed District would continue to provide weed education and perform survey work if grant funds are received. The trustees unanimously voted to schedule an interview with Micah Hill, who is currently the superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools. Privacy Policy Dr. Hocker has been Superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools since 2018. Posted 12:00:00 AM. Heather Davis Schmidt will fulfill remainder of school year, search committee to seek replacement. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Elsie Arntzen, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction, walks into Parental Rights Education Action meeting at . Glassdoor has salaries, wages, tips, bonuses, and hourly pay based upon employee reports and estimates. Use of this site is subject to the Flathead Beacon's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. New Online Community Survey Open Through January 16. That, however, represents a big drop of 44% in the annual net loss of students to MPS. Sarah Scott's role at Whitefish High School includes facilitating the district's goal to become recognized as a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), and she said Craig has been instrumental. Opens in a new tab. energy as they continue to grow on this journey. wfbschools.com - Whitefish Bay Schools | An Exceptional Place to Learn Underly, superintendent of the Pecatonica School District in southwest Wisconsin, has the support of many left-leaning groups and unions. Many of those speaking in favor of a mask mandate asked the trustees to listen to medical experts, but Paatalo was among those who alleged the masks could be harmful. 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. Hocker has been superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools since 2018. While I welcome spirited debate, I denounce in the strongest manner violent or abusive rhetoric of any sort. It is a "sounding board", assisting school boards, educators, parents, students, and communities to understand federal, state, and local laws relevant to education. (Fletcher) encouraged people to run for school board even if they didnt have any idea what that was about so they could challenge school districts on budget, curriculum, mask mandates, and critical race theory, according to Cherilyn DeVries, who attended the meeting. Terms of Use | 311 California Ave. "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. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career, and citizenship. 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. But then that person said, you know he just seems like that this is it, this is his place.. 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 two biggest school districts in the North Valley will take opposite approaches to mask requirements when the school year starts in a couple weeks. In Whitefish Schools we believe: Teaching and learning occurs effectively in both collaborative and independent processes, driven by students and teachers.Working together develops mutual respect, strong relationships, and trust within our schools and community.Whitefish Public Schools provide a foundation for an informed democracy. Six candidates were interviewed April 1 and 2, including Drea Beale, Lisa Bloom, John Coyne, Henry Mack, Catey Nasello and Sharon Webster. Email search21@cdaschools.org to submit a question to be considered for the public forum. (School board recalls) are very complicated and barely used, Melton said. The main entrance to the new Muldown Elementary School building. 44 and High School District Board Room January 10, 2023 . 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. In a survey of Whitefish families, more than half of the 832 responses favored a mask-optional policy. Nasello is currently principal of Hirsch Elementary in Tracy, California, a position shes held since 2019. "You are a public school board, not a private school board and your deliberations should reflect such," Smith asserted in his letter. Dr. Heather Davis Schmidt has been the Superintendent of the Whitefish School District in Whitefish, Montana, since 2015. 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. 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. Her deadline f0r all seven petitions is Dec. 29, and she said shell continue to circulate the petitions in Whitefish. 406-293-4124. 44 and High School met in regular session on November 10, 2009 in the District Board Meeting Room. Gavigan, who has served as superintendent for three years, said Whitefish Bay schools are in good hands with Myrah. The County Superintendent also fulfills state responsibilities for the home school population. The framework and assistance are also provided for other cooperatives. Muldown Elementary Principal-Whitefish School District Position Vacancy Muldown Elementary Principal beginning 23/24 school year. The Flathead County Election officials told the Whitefish Pilotthey have never dealt with a recall before and are taking the process step by step. Making the final decision on this matter is exclusively the responsibility and purview of the board as a whole, Hanson said in an email. Orozco has been director of elementary education, then assistant superintendent of elementary education and instruction, since 2015. Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply Now" button and sending us your resume. The Trustees of Whitefish School District No. First, a little about the history. COEUR dALENE The search for a new Coeur d'Alene School District superintendent has been narrowed to two. copyright 2023 The Recycled Fiber Superintendent will focus on the areas of operational best practices, technology advancement, process improvement projects, cost improvement projects, capital justification, and planning activities. "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.". 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. She has a Master of Education in leadership and administration. 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. 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. Last week, Arntzen spoke at a parental rights event in Missoula, where speakers vowed to unseat school board trustees in the upcoming election. In 2021, there were 84 efforts to recall school boards, according to Ballotpedia. 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. Myrah has served as the district's director of curriculum and instruction for four years. As in many communities struggling with the COVID pandemic, the situation in Whitefish has turned neighbor against neighbor, exacerbating political differences. 406-755-7000. Jenny Paatalo, a Whitefish parent who filed the recall petitions told the Daily Montanan while she did not agree with the boards decision, she decided to launch the effort after becoming displeased with the boards conduct and the process that led to the mask mandate for K-6 graders. He settled down in Whitefish though, and his own children have attended Whitefish Schools. I will help make the transition to the next Superintendent a smooth and positive process for all.. 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.. The public forum for both candidates will be next Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Each candidate will have one hour. Greg Gianforte issuedemergency guidance urging school boards to allow parents to opt their children out of mask mandates. Whitefish Public Schools mission focuses on cultivating and supporting a community . 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. 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. (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. 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. 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. 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. 290 C North Main, Kalispell, MT 59901. Of the 84, only eight have made it to ballots. "She also leads with balance and integrity, addressing issues with sensitivity, tact, and skill, while respecting differing points of view.. Deadline: March 20, 2023 Complete job description & application are available at SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT: But he said he does not believe the board did anything to warrant a recall. 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. The two employee unions in the district, the Whitefish Classified Employees Association and the Whitefish Education Association were also surveyed. "I am blessed with an ability to love and understand people and what motivates them.". Six. 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. Privacy Policy Whitefish School District No. "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. 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. 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. 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. Even outside the scope of the recall, parents in Whitefish and the Flathead have been agitating against school boards and mask mandates. Were just kind of trying to hold our ground that weve had since the beginning of time.. Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. Her administrative experience also includes serving as principal of a public charter high school in Oakland, California. It is a full-time position due to the large number of independent school districts in Flathead County (23). Superintendent - Mobile Maintenance. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career, and WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.44Position . Minutes from the August meeting also do not show any violent threats lobbed at the board. 1470 & 1490 Garay Ln #1490-01, Pt Washington, WI 53074 is a 790 sqft, 2 bed, 1 bath home. "Ms. Myrahs rich background in educational research and effective practice, her passion for students and learning, and her demonstrated leadership within our district will help the School District of Whitefish Bay move forward consistent with its areas of focus and state-wide initiatives, Woodard said. The office is a liaison between the state and local government units and the taxpayers. His office also published a series of essays that cast doubt on the wide body of research that has shown the efficacy of Masking. DeVries is the director of Love Lives Here, an anti-discrimination group in the Flathead and part of the Montana Human Rights Network. "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. 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. The County Superintendent has general supervision of the public schools of the county. Step One: If the Teachers' Rights Committee determines that the grievance is meritorious, it shall provide written notice to the Superintendent of its intent to submit the grievance to arbitration within twenty days after receipt of the Board's decision. And in a survey of 106 staff who are not part of the two unions, there were 64 votes for an optional policy. But the previous high during the last 13 years was 38 recall attempts in 2010. A mom is accusing the Whitefish Bay School District of discriminating against racial minorities because it has denied her daughter special education services. 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. 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.. 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. Following a contentious, four-hour meeting Thursday night, the Whitefish School Board voted to require face coverings for students, staff and visitors in kindergarten through sixth grade while indoors, and is recommending masks for students, staff and visitors in seventh through twelfth grades, Superintendent Dave Means said in an email to families and school staff on Friday. Its an honor to work in an effort to build upon the excellence of education we have in Whitefish. Paatalo said interest on Facebook is high, but gathering the 2,391 required signatures for each petition in person has been difficult. The far-right anti-government group has grown by 53 percent to more than 33,000 members, according to a new report from the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights. The district has 4,500 students and 650 staff. Supervisory responsibilities include areas of administration, legal issues, financial oversight, transportation, tuition, school district organization, classification, boundary adjustments, and centralized clerical and record keeping. McAdam is the director of combating white nationalism and defending Democracy at the Montana Human Rights Network and has been with the group for 20 years. Maintenance/Cleaning. Job specializations: Management. Any questions should be directed to the administrators of this or any other specific sites. Members Present: Others present: Chairperson Clarke Superintendent Means . copyright 2023 All critical information should be independently verified. 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