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. Since the boards decision on Aug. 12, the Facebook group Take Back Whitefish has been promoting the recall, with Paatalo as one of the moderators, as has conservative news outlet theMontana Daily Gazette. Extremist anti-government folks like Ammon Bundy have seized upon the pandemic as a divisive issue to come into communities and further the division and recruit new members.. 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. 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. 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. . I just got really mad at that meeting, and I spent three weeks writing and researching.. 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. Both Bloom and Coyne are current Whitefish School District employees. Muldown Elementary School is named after former Whitefish Schools Superintendent, ski pioneer, and prominent community member, Lloyd "Mully" Muldown. We are also looking forward to our staff and community getting a chance to meet them and share their thoughts.". Naperville School District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges has been named Superintendent of Distinction for DuPage County by the Illinois . COEUR dALENE The search for a new Coeur d'Alene School District superintendent has been narrowed to two. A first-term board member, Lengacher has spent 20 years as an educator and served on multiple other boards throughout his career but has not seen so much contention around a single topic as he has with masks. 406-293-4124. Administrative/Clerical. Whitefish Bay chooses John Thomsen as new superintendent of schools By Jeff Rumage June 15, 2015 e-mail print Whitefish Bay The Whitefish Bay School Board has hired St. Francis School District Superintendent John Thomsen to serve as superintendent of the Whitefish Bay School District. Matt Smith, a parent in the Whitefish district, criticized the board's decision in a letter to Means and the board, writing: "It was very clear through the words of the board when they stated 63% of parents and teachers voted to have masks be optional, how the large majority of our community stands on this topic. People are already feeling emboldened to claim their rights are being violated when they dont agree with decisions by elected officials, DeVries said. Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward Live! She also has served as the Whitefish Education Association president for the past two years. The board of trustees has established a search committee to plan and organize the process of hiring her replacement. 600 East 2nd St. Whitefish, MT 59937 . "I am blessed with an ability to love and understand people and what motivates them.". Whitefish Bay: Dogs, Cats, Pets Up For Adoption Nearby, Local Jobs: Check Out Who's Hiring In The Whitefish Bay Area, Dan Knodl Wins Republican Primary For State Senate Special Election. Last week, Arntzen spoke at a parental rights event in Missoula, where speakers vowed to unseat school board trustees in the upcoming election. Listing for: Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. Full Time position. He is an award-winning educator recognized across the state and in other various areas for his work in the field, according to the school board. Myrah said she looks forward to the new responsibilities of the position. Two community members and a student will ask the same set of questions selected from public suggestions. While in Washington, he taught language arts and social studies at the middle school level and coached. Myrah has served as the district's director of curriculum and instruction for four years. 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. Minutes from the August meeting also do not show any violent threats lobbed at the board. Subject matters will come and go. Whitefish Public Schools mission focuses on cultivating and supporting a community . Shon is from Idaho and wants to return. Terms of Use | Current. Kalispell, MT 59901 Email search21@cdaschools.org to submit a question to be considered for the public forum. Whitefish Public Schools mission focuses on cultivating and supporting a community . 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. Step Two: 1. Orozco has been director of elementary education, then assistant superintendent of elementary education and instruction, since 2015. This program regulates open burning during those times of the year when it is allowed and issues daily burning restrictions based on data . The Columbia Falls School Board voted to make masks optional in June. Listing for: Whitefish School District. 727 East Idaho New Online Community Survey Open Through January 16. THE COLUMBIA Falls School District is in what's known as Phase III, which makes the use of masks optional. The framework and assistance are also provided for other cooperatives. She called the efforts a very strategic way to justify attacks on elected officials and muddle the issue.. 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. Use of this site is subject to the Flathead Beacon's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Back in 2013-14 the system lost 6,891 students through open enrollment and gained just 731 students . Terms of Use | The public forum for both candidates will be next Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Each candidate will have one hour. However, there will still be quarantine requirements for infected people who aren't vaccinated. Education Based on 10 salaries Teacher 3 salaries School Counselor 3 salaries View More Administrative Based on 2 salaries Executive Assistant 1 salary Clerical 1 salary View More copyright 2023 Members Present: Others present: Chairperson Clarke Superintendent Means . Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web Accessibility Statement. "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. 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. 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 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. I care deeply about all of our students, teachers, support staff, administrators, families, and the community of Whitefish, Davis Schmidt said. For a board to conduct itself in this manner lacks the basic integrity required of a politician.. WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44 Whitefish, MT. Purpose & Scope: Reports directly to the Technical Service Director and has primary responsibility for the direction of the workforce to achieve all safety, food safety, and quality goals as set forth by facility management. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of the Beacon delivered every day to your inbox. . She has a Master of Education in leadership and administration. We have many resources to help our community learn more and continue our conversation about the future growth of Whitefish High School.. See the estimate, review home details, and search for homes nearby. 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. 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. 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. 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. "You are a public school board, not a private school board and your deliberations should reflect such," Smith asserted in his letter. Full Time position. The Missoula County Public Schools board will interview one person in its second attempt at a superintendent search this school year. Privacy Policy Get directions to the Superintendent of Schools. Even if petitioners meet the threshold by the Dec. 29 deadline, the following steps are unclear. 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. There have been no deaths in the age group. Privacy Policy At the center of her frustration were comments from Whitefish School Board Trustee Jerrie Boksich, who she said misinterpreted survey results by saying she believes strongly recommend or recommend could fall in the required category or the optional category. The Coeur d'Alene district has 10,000 students and 1,350. 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. Before becoming an administrator, Webster taught for nine years. Fulfills other responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent. Superintendent's Message Staff . and Whitefish have experienced significant population growth and property inflation in recent years, more so than others . The Whitefish School District Board of Trustees is comprised of seven citizens elected to represent the community in setting District policies, adopting the budget, placing tax levies and bond issues on the ballot, hiring personnel including the Superintendent, and for providing the necessary facilities for the education of our community's youth. Whitefish, Columbia Falls schools announce opposite mask policies by LYNNETTE HINTZE and CHRIS PETERSON | August 17, 2021 7:00 AM 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. Whitefish Bay School District is a top performing district in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Arts in educational leadership with an endorsement in administration before moving back to Montana. In a unanimous vote, the board opted to require masks for students, staff, and visitors in K-6 and recommend face coverings for grades 7-12, according to the minutes. All materials can be accessed at www.whitefishschools.org on the WHS Expansion Needs link. Whitefish School District seeks a Principal to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. The office is a liaison between the state and local government units and the taxpayers. There is also a Bulldog tip line available on each school website. Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt, right, at a Whitefish School Board meeting. Beacon file photo Heather Davis Schmidt, the superintendent of Whitefish School District, has. packet at the District Office at 600 2nd St E in Whitefish, Monday - Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. 406-755-7000. And when the government moves against it, I would say the government is the one with the movement, not us. Heather Davis Schmidt, the superintendent of Whitefish School District, has submitted her resignation to the board of trustees effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. 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. Supervisory responsibilities include areas of administration, legal issues, financial oversight, transportation, tuition, school district organization, classification, boundary adjustments, and centralized clerical and record keeping. 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. A mom is accusing the Whitefish Bay School District of discriminating against racial minorities because it has denied her daughter special education services. 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. The Flathead County Election officials told the Whitefish Pilotthey have never dealt with a recall before and are taking the process step by step. "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. It is a full-time position due to the large number of independent school districts in Flathead County (23). Hocker has been superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools since 2018. Im humbled, honored, and just thankful for this opportunity, Means said. The district said that people with questions or concerns can email info@whitefishschools.org. Under the rules, Paatalo said her sixth-grade child is required to wear a mask, but her eighth-grade child is not in the same building. 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. Coeur d'Alene's own assistant superintendent of elementary education and instruction, Kate Orozco, and Shon Hocker, superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools in Dickinson, N.D., were announced Thursday as the two finalists. Dr. Heather Davis Schmidt has been the Superintendent of the Whitefish School District in Whitefish, Montana, since 2015. Job specializations: Management. The movement has resurfaced recently as frustrations mount over the pandemic and its restrictions. 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. Our developmental music program provides a solid foundation for Whitefish students as they prepare for Middle and High school music programs. Gifted and Talented. 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. she said. (School board recalls) are very complicated and barely used, Melton said. 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. Listed on 2023-02-28. 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.. She previously served as the Executive Regional Director of the. 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. But the previous high during the last 13 years was 38 recall attempts in 2010. But Paatalo disagreed with Boksichs assertion that recommended could mean required just as much as it could mean optional. 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. Greg Gianforte issuedemergency guidance urging school boards to allow parents to opt their children out of mask mandates. 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. Of the 84, only eight have made it to ballots. The district has 4,500 students and 650 staff. Whitefish, MT 59937 But then that person said, you know he just seems like that this is it, this is his place.. Laura Myrah is a strong leader with a vision of education that complements the districts beliefs and strategic direction," she said. Back in 1994 when the state decided to do away with funding schools based on local property taxes and move to funding schools based on a per pupil allowance (Proposal A), small schools like ours suffered greatly . One time a person said to me, wow, why would he take that job in a pandemic? Muldown Elementary Principal Linda Whitright said during the meeting. All critical information should be independently verified. Whitefish Public Schools mission focuses on. 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. Manage and continually develop all safety and housekeeping efforts in the Recycled Fiber Plant and Bale Receiving Warehouse. The office includes the superintendent, Cal Ketchum, a finance technician, Cheryl Morgan, and an administrative assistant. Even outside the scope of the recall, parents in Whitefish and the Flathead have been agitating against school boards and mask mandates. Assistant to the Superintendent Katie McKay Accounts Payable Specialist Carly Watkins Payroll Specialist Ms. Brianne Fuzesy Technology Integration Specialist . 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. "We recognize how challenging the last 17 months have been during this global pandemic," Means said. 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. Fax number of the Superintendent of Schools. Whitefish School District seeks a Principal to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. 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. How much do Whitefish Bay School District employees make? Dr. Hocker has been Superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools since 2018. 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. She received her doctorate in leadership studies from Gonzaga University in 2005 and her masters degree from Gonzaga in 1994. 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. So far, Paatalo said she has collected at least around 250 signatures, and its an uphill battle to gather them in person despite the enthusiasm she has sensed on social media. 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. "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. 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. In 2021, there were 84 efforts to recall school boards, according toBallotpedia. Her administrative experience also includes serving as principal of a public charter high school in Oakland, California. 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. Salary Class: Full Time, Exempt. 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.. Join to apply for the Principal (Beginning 23/24) role at WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44Principal (Beginning 23/24) role at WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44 But youre their champion government, is not it.. powered by Educational Networks . Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career, and citizenship. 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. 44 and High School met in regular session on November 10, 2009 in the District Board Meeting Room. MCPS school board selects 1 applicant for superintendent interview . 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. AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION About the Program: Operation of the outdoor air quality program includes collecting data from monitoring sites in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls and administering the Flathead County Air Pollution Control Program. While our success remains high, as I reflect on the past few years, I remain particularly proud of, how nimble and flexible we all have been. Join or sign in to find your next job. 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. Hocker received his doctorate in educational leadership from Idaho State University in 2016 and his masters degree from ISU in 1999. For more information, please click on the link above. We Have Moved! I think its funny even to call (parental rights) a movement. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career, and On Aug. 31, Gov. Arntzen told the crowd of nearly 100 that she was drafting an administrative rule with Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen that would allow parents to opt out of school board rules. Opens in a new tab. 311 California Ave. Privacy Policy The County Superintendent also fulfills state responsibilities for the home school population. 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. Prior to that he was Superintendent of the Big Horn School District in Cowley, Wyoming, from 2007 to 2018. "Students and faculty who have been vaccinated will not need to quarantine if they are exposed and asymptomatic. 1 . She holds a bachelors degree from California State University, in Fresno, California and a master's degree from Concordia University in Irvine, California. She said she was upset the board did not allow for public comment during deliberation among trustees about the mask policy. I work for every single child, Arntzen, a Republican, told parents in Missoula. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin gave $775,000 to her . 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. Prior to that, Orozco was superintendent of Whitefish School District in Whitefish, Mont., from 2011 to 2015. The Columbia Falls School District, meanwhile, will make masks optional for students as the new school year begins, Superintendent Dave Wick said in a recent letter to parents. Hill transitioned from principal of Glacier High School in Kalispell to . 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. 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. (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. Team Leader, Operations Manager, General Manager, Maintenance Manager. Location: Green Bay. I am inspired by their resilience and positive. I fulfill my leadership role and job duties daily with great pride, integrity, and a belief in all children.. And in a survey of 106 staff who are not part of the two unions, there were 64 votes for an optional policy. Our young musicians offer music performances for their parents and community throughout the year. Salary: $100,000 - $150,000 per year. Her deadline f0r all seven petitions is Dec. 29, and she said shell continue to circulate the petitions in Whitefish. But he said he does not believe the board did anything to warrant a recall. 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. I will help make the transition to the next Superintendent a smooth and positive process for all.. Job in Whitefish - Flathead County - MT Montana - USA , 59937. Means is originally from Missoula and also spent time working in Bozeman and Kodiak, Alaska, in his earlier years beginning his career in education. 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 two employee unions in the district, the Whitefish Classified Employees Association and the Whitefish Education Association were also surveyed. 208-664-8176. Under Montana law, a separate recall petition is required for each trustee. In 2016 he was named Wyoming Superintendent of the Year. With overwhelming support from the Whitefish School Board, administrators, staff and community members, Whitefish School District Interim Superintendent Dave Means is expected to take over in the role permanently. Underly, superintendent of the Pecatonica School District in southwest Wisconsin, has the support of many left-leaning groups and unions. As in many communities struggling with the COVID pandemic, the situation in Whitefish has turned neighbor against neighbor, exacerbating political differences.