Finalists picked in search for superintendent

The Whitefish School Board has selected four finalists to be interviewed for the position of the superintendent of schools. The finalists came from an initial pool of 39 candidates from across the United States and were evaluated and screened based on experience and background.

Finalists include Donavan DeBoe, Lance Pearson, Greg Pilewski and Wendy Wyman.

Donavan DeBoer is currently the superintendent at Parker School District in Parker, South Dakota. This is a K-12 district with an enrollment of 480 students. He has been the superintendent for six years.

Lance Pearson is currently the superintendent in Victor Schools in Victor. This is a K-12 district with an enrollment of 360 students. He in his ninth year as superintendent in the community.

Greg Pilewski is currently the deputy superintendent in Queen Anne’s County Public Schools in Maryland. This is a K-12 district with an enrollment of 7,778. He has been in this position since 2014.

Wendy Wyman is currently the superintendent in Lake County School District in Leadville, Colorado. This is a K-12 district with an enrollment of 1,082. She has served in this capacity since 2011.

Ray & Associates, a national executive search firm, has been leading the search. In December, it held meetings with trustees, administrators, staff, and Whitefish community members to help define the qualities desired in a new superintendent.

All candidates were evaluated based on the qualities and criteria determined by the board.

In addition, a thorough investigation of each candidate was made through references, state officials, other school administrators, and individuals who knew the candidates’ abilities and strengths.

The top eight candidates were from Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Montana, South Dakota and Texas. The board viewed short video interviews in addition to the applications in order to select their top four candidates.

Interviews will be conducted on March 9 and 10 by the Board of Trustees at the district board room, with the opportunity for community input to be given at each meeting at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Two candidates will be interviewed on each day.

Current Whitefish Schools Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt submitted her resignation in October after announcing in 2018 that she would not be renewing her contract with the school district because of family obligations.

Davis Schmidt joined the school district in July 2015 after previously serving as the executive regional director at Missoula County Public Schools.

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