Orozco resigns as Whitefish superintendent

Whitefish superintendent Kate Orozco has turned in her resignation after four years leading the school district.

Orozco has recently been seeking other superintendent positions to be closer to family in Idaho. Earlier this month, she was a finalist for a job in Spokane, Wash., but was not selected. Last year, she was a finalist for a superintendent job in Medical Lakes, Wash., which she wasn’t selected for, as well.

“As I have shared with you in the past weeks, my husband Paul and I have continued to try and find a way to be present to our youngest children in Idaho, while living and working here in Whitefish,” she wrote in a letter to administration. “Unfortunately, we have come to the realization that it is difficult for us to sustain the lifestyle that requires the extensive travel back and forth — particularly when our children and family need us as they do.”

Orozco told the Pilot she plans to finish the school year, which will mark the end of her contract.

She said her resignation is in the best interest of the school district so trustees can begin the search for a new superintendent.

The school board discussed the process of a superintendent search at a special meeting on March 20. Orozco said she would be available to assist with the search for her replacement.

“I cannot imagine a more patient group of folks, so empathetic about our family and so careful about their responsibilities to guide our school district,” she said of the trustees.

She said she doesn’t have a new job lined up, but that she hopes to find a position in school administration once settled in Idaho.

Orozco was hired in 2011 when Jerry House retired. She previously was the associate superintendent in North Platte, Neb.

Her four years with the Whitefish district were action packed.

A $14 million bond to build a new high school was approved, and the $23 million building was constructed and opened in 2014.

The high school also ushered in a new block schedule and opened the Center for Applied Media Arts and Science.

Much of Orozco’s focus was in establishing a curriculum for “21st Century learning” and overseeing implementation of Common Core practices.

She says construction of the high school ranks as a project she is honored to have been involved with, but that she’s also proud of the district’s efforts to improve in all areas of education.

“The mindset that we can always get better and are constantly learning,” she said.

“That, to me, rivals building the new high school.”

One challenge that remains, she says, is expanding the district’s community outreach.

“We are working to develop mechanisms to better engage the community,” she said. “We need to dissolve the walls of the school and have our kids out learning from community members.”

“That work has just begun,” she added.

Orozco’s time at Whitefish hasn’t been without controversy.

Most notably, in 2012 she recommended the school board not renew a contract for high school principal Dave Carlson. She reversed that decision after students rallied behind Carlson at a passionate school board meeting.

Ultimately, the sides came to a separation agreement in which the district paid Carlson his annual salary in return for his resignation.

That same year, negotiations between the district and the Whitefish Education Association became heated as they dragged on for a year. The sides finally settled on a three-year teachers contract.

Orozco readily admits the job has been challenging at times.

“But the tough moments pale in comparison to the big heartedness of the community,” she said.

She chalked up her perseverance to guidance from trustees and administrators.

“They have let me into their lives and apprenticed me,” she said. “They taught me how to lead and take a vision and make it a reality.”

“They raised me,” she added.

Orozco says she’s been nothing but impressed with Whitefish’s drive to get things done and the spirit of the community.

“I feel such gratitude toward the community,” she said. “I’m lucky to have landed in this place.”

“Parents, students and teachers have opened their hearts, and often their family budgets, and asked ‘how can we give.’”

“That’s magical,” she added.