Parents voice ideas on superintendent search

Parents, teachers and community members outlined what they would like to see from a new Whitefish school superintendent Thursday during a public input meeting at the middle school.

A few qualifications and goals rose to the top of the list for a future superintendent — good communication with the community, understanding the importance of the arts, continued improvement of school curriculum, retention of students moving into the high school, and a focus on new technology.

“People are positive about what is happening in the district,” said one parent. “I would like to see someone who is actively working on communication with the community.”

The Whitefish School District is beginning its search for a new leader following current superintendent Kate Orozco’s resignation this spring after four years leading the district. She will finish out the school year, which is the end of her contract.

Boardchair Pat Jarvi explained the superintendent role in the district. She said the superintendent deals with curriculum development and professional development, management of administrators, budget, working with the community and networking with other districts.

“The superintendent’s job is to handle all of the dealings of the district,” she said.

The school board along with representatives from Northwest Leadership Associates held an informational meeting on the search process. The district is also asking for input through an online survey about the qualities and qualifications it should seek in candidates for the position.

“We want to hear from you what you think,” said Dennis Ray, with Northwest Leadership. “Are you looking for an agent of change or someone that will build upon what is already here.”

Northwest Leadership Associates, a consultant firm from Spokane, Wash., is assisting the district in recruiting, screening and selecting a new superintendent.

Board trustee Shawn Watts said Orozco’s tenure began a change inside the district that the board would like to continue building upon.

“She directed a change toward a focus on continuous improvement in professional development and what happens in the classroom, and community engagement,” Watts said. “We’re seeing a lot of good outcomes.”

The district plans to advertise the position this month with the goal of selecting a new leader by mid-May to start July 1.

Ray noted that Whitefish is beginning its search late in the school year. Typically, superintendent positions come open in the fall and the search process is done between January and April.

“We’ve consolidated the search process from six weeks to three weeks,” he said. “If the opening is in the fall there is usually a deeper pool of applicants, but that doesn’t mean we won’t find someone.”

If the board does not find a suitable candidate it has a few options. It could choose to re-open the position or hire an interim superintendent for next school year, and then advertise the position again this fall.

“The district has good options,” Ray said. “I’m glad the board is looking at a back-up plan of an interim superintendent because the board will not be forced to select a candidate that isn’t right.”

Once a group of finalists is selected, the board expects to hold forums to allow the community to meet them. The board also plans to include interview panels made up of community members, teachers, students and parents.

The school board trustee election is May 5. Jarvi is seeking re-election to the board and candidates Bob Auerbach and Marguerite Kaminski have also filed for the two seats up for election. The board will likely be voting on the new superintendent after the election.

“There will be at least one new board member after the election,” Jarvi said. “We will be seeking the two candidates input and participation in the process.”