Community input sought for superintendent search

The Whitefish School District is looking for community input as the search for a new superintendent gets underway.

The Whitefish School Board is hosting a community meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Black Box Theater in the high school.

The hope is to bring in local input on how the district has been doing and what it wants out of the next superintendent, Darlene Schottle said in a release.

Schottle is a regional search associate for Ray & Associates, the firm hired last month by the school board to conduct its superintendent search.

“The conversation will be an open format where the community will be asked to give feedback on the strengths of the school district, challenges, characteristics for a new superintendent and the pressing issues to be addressed,” Schottle said.

Schottle is based in Bigfork and has worked for over 34 years in education as a teacher, principal, and Superintendent of Kalispell Schools. She is currently the chairperson of the Montana State Board of Education.

The district is looking to hire a new superintendent following current Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt’s announcement of her resignation, effective at the end of the school year.

Interested community members are also asked to complete an online survey to express the qualities desired in a new superintendent. The survey will be open through Dec. 15 and is located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WhitefishCommunity

By using the survey data, community input, and working closely with staff, trustees, and administrators, the search firm will develop an ideal profile for the recruiting and screening of applicants for the position.

For more information, call Whitefish Schools at 862-8640.