School Board thank trustee, student for service

The Whitefish School Board thanked Trustee Marguerite Kaminski and student trustee Ian Caltabiano for their three years of service during the May 15 meeting.

Kaminski is leaving the board after unsuccessfully running for re-election this spring, and was replaced by new Trustee Betsy Kohnstamm during a special meeting last Thursday.

Board Chair Nick Polumbus thanked Kaminski for stepping up during her three years on the board and asking the hard questions.

“I want to personally thank you for pushing us all in the last three years, and asking lots of difficult questions — maybe uncomfortable at times — but you felt that was your duty and I think you did a great job with it and I think it was appreciated,” Polumbus told Kaminski. “Thank you for your service to the district.”

In addition to Kaminski leaving, Caltabiano passed the student trustee torch to Andrew Brozek, who was also sworn in to the board on Thursday.

Caltabiano is graduating on June 2 and will attend Montana State University in the fall.

Polumbus thanked Caltabiano for his time on the board, as well as for sticking through three years of some very late meetings.

“I just want to say thank you. You have proven yourself to be a highly engaged student and member of this board. It’s been very appreciated, your reports have been entertaining but informative and your participation has been great. You’ve gotten a lot of homework done, and I think that speaks to your ability to adapt to your surroundings,” Polumbus said with a laugh.

“School board meetings have been my most productive time,” Caltabiano replied.

Whitefish High School Assistant Principal Jeff Peck said he feels confident Brozek will fill Caltabiano’s shoes — which are size 10, according to a Caltabiano quip.

“If there’s anyone within our student population who exemplifies integrity, scholarship, compassion and respect, this is the guy,” Peck said of Brozek. “He pursued [the application process] with enthusiasm, and his essay was unbelievable. He basically ran away with it, and we are very happy to welcome him to our school board sessions and we’re very lucky to have him.”