Even if petitioners meet the threshold by the Dec. 29 deadline, the following steps are unclear. The district still will offer remote learning for students who choose not to go to school in person. Privacy Policy WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44 Whitefish, MT. The Missoula County Public Schools board will interview one person in its second attempt at a superintendent search this school year. Hill transitioned from principal of Glacier High School in Kalispell to . Following a contentious, four-hour meeting Thursday night, the Whitefish School Board voted to require face coverings for students, staff and visitors in kindergarten through sixth grade while indoors, and is recommending masks for students, staff and visitors in seventh through twelfth grades, Superintendent Dave Means said in an email to families and school staff on Friday. Purpose & Scope: Reports directly to the Technical Service Director and has primary responsibility for the direction of the workforce to achieve all safety, food safety, and quality goals as set forth by facility management. In that same month the COVID-19 pandemic made its way into Montana, forcing schools to close and transition into virtual learning, and Means new role became a lot more complicated. At parental rights events, speakers encouraged anti-mask proponents to challenge or disregard school policies they disagree with. "While opinions certainly vary on mitigation strategies, we are all ultimately after the same goal keep our kids healthy and learning together in our schools. Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. (Courtesy photos) by WHITNEY ENGLAND Whitefish Pilot | April 22, 2021 1:45 PM Editor's note: This story originally ran in the April 14, 2021 edition of the Whitefish Pilot. Coyne has been the assistant principal of Whitefish Middle School and Muldown Elementary since 2012, He started out his career teaching and coaching in Hamilton, where he spent 21 years and then moved to Vancouver, Washington for 10 years. The public may tune in at www.youtube.com/c/cdaschools271 to watch the sessions. The efforts by our teachers, staff, and families have, enabled us to provide education in ways that are increasingly flexible and supportive of students, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with one another as we build upon the exceptional, educational system and programs we have in Whitefish Schools. Dave Means by WHITNEY ENGLAND Whitefish Pilot | January 23, 2021 12:00 AM With overwhelming support from the Whitefish School Board, administrators, staff and community members, Whitefish. Join to apply for the Substitute Custodian role at WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT #44. and Whitefish have experienced significant population growth and property inflation in recent years, more so than others . So far, Paatalo said she has collected at least around 250 signatures, and its an uphill battle to gather them in person despite the enthusiasm she has sensed on social media. Members Present: Others present: Chairperson Clarke Superintendent Means . . That, however, represents a big drop of 44% in the annual net loss of students to MPS. However, there will still be quarantine requirements for infected people who aren't vaccinated. I did it all by myself, she said. Gavigan, who has served as superintendent for three years, said Whitefish Bay schools are in good hands with Myrah. "Kate has clear roots here in Coeur d'Alene. 1 . Davis Schmidt will continue to fulfill her full responsibilities through the remainder of the school year. The movement has resurfaced recently as frustrations mount over the pandemic and its restrictions. We want the Whitefish community to be well-informed about expansion information and have an opportunity to provide more feedback regarding our next steps, said Dave Means, superintendent of Whitefish School District. At the center of her frustration were comments from Whitefish School Board Trustee Jerrie Boksich, who she said misinterpreted survey results by saying she believes strongly recommend or recommend could fall in the required category or the optional category. "Please know that the district takes communication among and between students, staff and families very seriously and we are here to help respond to concerns you may have," Whitefish superintendent Dave Means wrote in the letter. In 2018 he received the CSPD Leadership Award for Region V in Montana, which is an award recognizing leaders who have positively impacted the lives of paraeducators and students. Superintendent's Message . In a news release, Whitefish Bay School Board President Pam Woodard said Myrahs current leadership position with the district and her previous experiences make her well-suited to provide continuity and vision for the school district. In 25 years, Melton said he has never seen a recall presented to voters. Whitefish School District [[upButtonMessage]] full time. While all attempts are made to insure the correctness and suitability of information under our control and to correct any errors brought to our attention, no representation or guarantee can be made as to the correctness or suitability of that information or any linked information presented, referenced, or implied. powered by Educational Networks . Trustee Bennetts Director of Business Shea . Whitefish High School recently earned another high achievement by ranking 3rd in the state of Montana by U.S. high schools in 2022 Best High Schools, published by U.S. News. Meeting participants discussed the current need for exploring expansion options, reviewed initial design concepts, cost estimates, and taxpayer impact, and were offered opportunities to give additional feedback. The Whitefish School District on Friday sent out a letter to families in the district informing them of a recent investigation regarding communications between a staff member and students. Myrah will temporarily fill the position on July 1. While in Washington, he taught language arts and social studies at the middle school level and coached. The pandemic is in its 20th month, and so far, 14,003 children aged 0 to 11 have been infected with COVID-19, with 58 of them needing to be hospitalized, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Currently, we are only able to do fingerprints by appointment only. Great schools of the fish abounded. But according to several letters and statements of support from community members, school staff and board members, Means stepped into the role and confidently led the district through a vast amount of unprecedented obstacles. We will continue to strive to make decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of our district.". Laura Myrah, the director of curriculum and instruction for the Whitefish Bay School District, has been appointed to serve as the interim superintendent of the school district. AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION About the Program: Operation of the outdoor air quality program includes collecting data from monitoring sites in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls and administering the Flathead County Air Pollution Control Program. Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward Live! The Whitefish School Board will reconsider the mask guidelines when vaccines become available for children younger than 12, or by the Oct. 12 board meeting, Means said. The Whitefish School District is moving forward with planning for a possible high school expansion in order to address the enrollment increases that are occurring now and are anticipated to. The Columbia Falls School District, meanwhile, will make masks optional for students as the new school year begins, Superintendent Dave Wick said in a recent letter to parents. Listing for: Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. Full Time position. Whitefish School District Address 600 East Second Street Whitefish, MT 59937 USA Industry Education Report Job Most Popular Elementary Principal Job Categories Elementary Schools Elementary School School Administration Bilingual Elementary Teacher Other Helpful Pages Related To Elementary Principal Elementary Principal Salaries All Jobs I abhor personal attacks, whether verbal or otherwise, against my fellow trustees.. And because of that, they were all sort of complicit., And Paatalo said in an email its not just about masks: Masking is only the subject matter. Our students success through our collaborative work inspires us to do even more on behalf of our students. Whitefish School District powered by Educational Networks And she said shes dismayed that none of the other board members voiced a concern either: The rest of the board members sat there silent, and not a single one of them said Hold on, I dont think recommend means the same as required. Nobody pushed back on that strange narrative. There is also a Bulldog tip line available on each school website. Job specializations: Management. In 2016 he was named Wyoming Superintendent of the Year. Whitefish, Columbia Falls schools announce opposite mask policies by LYNNETTE HINTZE and CHRIS PETERSON | August 17, 2021 7:00 AM The two biggest school districts in the North Valley will take opposite approaches to mask requirements when the school year starts in a couple weeks. We are also looking forward to our staff and community getting a chance to meet them and share their thoughts.". She holds a bachelors degree from California State University, in Fresno, California and a master's degree from Concordia University in Irvine, California. . Matt Smith, a parent in the Whitefish district, criticized the board's decision in a letter to Means and the board, writing: "It was very clear through the words of the board when they stated 63% of parents and teachers voted to have masks be optional, how the large majority of our community stands on this topic. Prior to that he was Superintendent of the Big Horn School District in Cowley, Wyoming, from 2007 to 2018. But the previous high during the last 13 years was 38 recall attempts in 2010. Administrative/Clerical. Travis McAdam, with the Montana Human Rights Network, said the parental rights movement isnt new and has percolated amongst anti-government groups for years. 215 N. 2nd St. His approach was focused, calm, collaborative, and reassuring to all those around him, a letter of support written by a handful of district employees notes. Viewers will be able to provide comments on the candidates responses. Myrah received an elementary education degree from Concordia University Wisconsin, a masters degree in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, and an educational specialist degree equivalency in school administration through St. Marys University of Minnesota. Dr. Heather Davis Schmidt has been the Superintendent of the Whitefish School District in Whitefish, Montana, since 2015. Dr. Hocker has been Superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools since 2018. Fulfills other responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent. Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web Accessibility Statement. Listing for: Whitefish School District. The district will not screen students coming into schools. Use of this site is subject to the Flathead Beacon's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. In 2021, there were 84 efforts to recall school boards, according toBallotpedia. Our students will one day be, charged with tackling local and global challenges. DISCLAIMER: No endorsement is intended or made of any hypertext link, product, service, or information either by its inclusion or exclusion from this page or site. Lengacher, though, said he had no problem with his address being posted online but had issues with part of the intention, which he said he believes was to make school more members lives more difficult. The other 22(d)2 schools are Whitefish in Paradise, Mackinac Island, DeTour, and Beaver Island. Greg Gianforte issuedemergency guidance urging school boards to allow parents to opt their children out of mask mandates. Whitefish School District seeks a Principal to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. There is a strong commitment to growth for each student in the Whitefish School District and there is also a direct relationship to our success from the support of the Whitefish community and our parents. Extremist anti-government folks like Ammon Bundy have seized upon the pandemic as a divisive issue to come into communities and further the division and recruit new members.. It is a full-time position due to the large number of independent school districts in Flathead County (23). Heather Davis Schmidt will fulfill remainder of school year, search committee to seek replacement. Heather Davis Schmidt, the superintendent of Whitefish School District, has submitted her resignation to the board of trustees effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 406-755-7000. I fulfill my leadership role and job duties daily with great pride, integrity, and a belief in all children.. Join or sign in to find your next job. Mr. Fisher further indicated that the Weed District would continue to provide weed education and perform survey work if grant funds are received. Bundy capitalized on the pandemic when he started the Peoples Rights Network to fight back against public health measures being implemented by local health boards. WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.44Position . All materials can be accessed at www.whitefishschools.org on the WHS Expansion Needs link. But he said he does not believe the board did anything to warrant a recall. They did so with support from the highest elected school official in the state, Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen, and with encouragement from Moms for America, a group at the forefront of the parental rights movement whose president, Kimberly Fletcher, was involved inorganizingStop the Steal events and attended the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal riot at the U.S. Capitol. Six candidates were interviewed April 1 and 2, including Drea Beale, Lisa Bloom, John Coyne, Henry Mack, Catey Nasello and Sharon Webster. Underly, superintendent of the Pecatonica School District in southwest Wisconsin, has the support of many left-leaning groups and unions. The trustees unanimously voted to schedule an interview with Micah Hill, who is currently the superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools. "If face coverings are optional and the number of active COVID-19 cases in Flathead County increase to the point of threatening school closures, the Board of Trustees authorizes the superintendent to implement a requirement for face coverings to be worn in identified district buildings until such time as the Board of Trustees can adopt an applicable district requirement," Means said in his email. Mack holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Jamestown College and a masters degree from Northern State University, both located in North Dakota. The person selected will replace outgoing Principal Linda Whitright, who is retiring at the end of the school year, capping 28 years at Whitefish School District. Hocker received his doctorate in educational leadership from Idaho State University in 2016 and his masters degree from ISU in 1999. Prior to that, Orozco was superintendent of Whitefish School District in Whitefish, Mont., from 2011 to 2015. Orozco has been director of elementary education, then assistant superintendent of elementary education and instruction, since 2015. I think its almost just people asserting their natural positions in nature, she said. A mom is accusing the Whitefish Bay School District of discriminating against racial minorities because it has denied her daughter special education services. (click here for directions). But Trustee Todd Lengacher told the Daily Montanan the board took a myriad of information into account from a variety of sources, including hours of public comment, letters, advice from medical experts, and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in addition to the survey results in making its decision to mandate masks for K-6 graders. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates . Elsie Arntzen, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction, walks into Parental Rights Education Action meeting at . While our success remains high, as I reflect on the past few years, I remain particularly proud of, how nimble and flexible we all have been. Manage and continually develop all safety and housekeeping efforts in the Recycled Fiber Plant and Bale Receiving Warehouse. The Recycled Fiber Superintendent will focus on the areas of operational best practices, technology advancement, process improvement projects, cost improvement projects, capital justification, and planning activities. And in a survey of 106 staff who are not part of the two unions, there were 64 votes for an optional policy. Under the rules, Paatalo said her sixth-grade child is required to wear a mask, but her eighth-grade child is not in the same building. The 2021 Whitefish School Board Trustee Candidates are Quincy Bennetts, David Diehl, Leanette Kearns, Todd Lengacher and Emily Morrow. Im just truly, have been and continue to be inspired by all of you, our community, our educators, and how weve come together.. She also has served as the Whitefish Education Association president for the past two years. Our achievements validate our district priorities of growth for each student, using data to drive improvement, and providing safe, inclusive and welcoming schools. In 2021, there were 84 efforts to recall school boards, according to Ballotpedia. "We are rallying, not only to have our voices heard regarding the clear disregard for the popular opinion and over reaching mandate, but we are rallying as a community that is tired of watching the policies being pushed upon our community by like-minded individuals as yourselves.". Before becoming an administrator, Webster taught for nine years. The board also made allowances for extenuating circumstances, such as a potential or actual COVID-19 outbreak. In fact, members of the public did comment at the meeting, even though they didnt have the chance to do so after the motion to require masks was under consideration. Subject matters will come and go. 2 Vehicles Crushed In Bayshore Mall Parking Garage Collapse, Spring North Shore School for Seniors classes begin March 6. "Ms. Myrahs rich background in educational research and effective practice, her passion for students and learning, and her demonstrated leadership within our district will help the School District of Whitefish Bay move forward consistent with its areas of focus and state-wide initiatives, Woodard said. County health will be verifying vaccine status for those who are seeking to avoid quarantine. If Im strongly recommending something, that is what I am urging people to do; thats what I want to happen, Boksich said at the meeting, according to an audio recording shared with the Daily Montanan. MCPS school board selects 1 applicant for superintendent interview . Lake whitefish, the primary Great Lakes species, was one of the highest quality food fishes ever discovered throughout the world. Since the boards decision on Aug. 12, the Facebook group Take Back Whitefish has been promoting the recall, with Paatalo as one of the moderators, as has conservative news outlet theMontana Daily Gazette. Two community members and a student will ask the same set of questions selected from public suggestions. Her administrative experience also includes serving as principal of a public charter high school in Oakland, California. I am enthused and proud to serve our district as interim superintendent.". wfbschools.com - Whitefish Bay Schools | An Exceptional Place to Learn "She also leads with balance and integrity, addressing issues with sensitivity, tact, and skill, while respecting differing points of view.. In its own way, the resource rivaled the great forest of white pine or the buffaloes on the western plains. Salary: $100,000 - $150,000 per year. He also said he understood what he was signing up for: Part of our job is to make difficult decisions, and those decisions will be met with disconnect and disagreement, and that is part of the work.. "I carry the belief and conviction that if our students are to develop the Portrait of a Graduate characteristics that adequately prepare them for their future, then we must continue to improve and work together to create the learning conditions that develop these skills and dispositions in our students, Orozco said. She said Fletcher prompted people to start groups and show up to local school board meetings saying, just showing up puts the fear of God in them. Additionally, DeVries said Fletcher told people to have respect for school board members but also made it clear that this was a culture war, telling the crowd, No one has a constitutional right. Community members may view the recording of the December 14 meeting, including the PowerPoint that was presented, as well as provide more feedback by completing an online survey that will be open until January 16. A new Muldown Elementary principal is anticipated to be announced in the coming week, according to an email sent to families from Whitefish School District Superintendent Dave Means. First, a little about the history. Both candidates are experienced and have students at the forefront of everything they do," Brumley said. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of the Beacon delivered every day to your inbox. Terms of Use | We have a new location in the Flathead County North Complex. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career, and Whitefish Bay School District is a top performing district in Wisconsin and the Midwest. So, I guess, I look at this survey in a different way. Shon is from Idaho and wants to return. Terms of Use | Laura Myrah is a strong leader with a vision of education that complements the districts beliefs and strategic direction," she said. One time a person said to me, wow, why would he take that job in a pandemic? Muldown Elementary Principal Linda Whitright said during the meeting. Team Leader, Operations Manager, General Manager, Maintenance Manager. Please know that the district takes communication among and between students, staff and families very seriously and we are here to help respond to concerns you may have, Whitefish superintendent Dave Means wrote in the letter. After the vote in Whitefish, a profile with an apparent stock photo for a profile picture that does not appear to exist anymore posted the addresses of all the school board members to the Whitefish United Facebook page. It is a full-time position due to the large number of independent school districts in Flathead County (23). Help us tell stories like this one and get other great perks by joining the Editors Club for as little as $5 per month. Our new building opened in the 2020-2021 school year just up the street from the old Muldown site which is now the district annex building. Contact Us Bulldog Tip Line (406) 730-3080 | [email protected] News & Announcements 2023-2024 Incoming Freshmen Q & A The WHS Counselors will be available at the Junior High Parent Teacher Conferences on 3/2/3023, to answer any questions you may have regarding your student's high school registration. The district has 4,500 students and 650 staff. Members Present: Chairperson Pat Jarvi, Dave Fern, Brian McDowell, Eric Hosek, and Ruth Harrison. She called the efforts a very strategic way to justify attacks on elected officials and muddle the issue.. Assistant to the Superintendent Katie McKay Accounts Payable Specialist Carly Watkins Payroll Specialist Ms. Brianne Fuzesy Technology Integration Specialist . packet at the District Office at 600 2nd St E in Whitefish, Monday - Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. McAdam said the recall effort is a continuation of efforts started during the pandemic by anti-government groups to spread misinformation and sow distrust in local government. WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.44Position DescriptionAREA: Assistant CoachREPORTS TO: HeadSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. The Office of the Flathead County Superintendent of Schools is the fiscal agent for two cooperatives - the Northwest Montana Educational Service Agency and the Flathead County Special Education Cooperative. Superintendent As the superintendent of the Whiteford Agricultural School District, it is my sincere pleasure and honor to serve this amazing learning community and school family. Laura Myrah, the director of curriculum and instruction for the Whitefish Bay School District, has been appointed to serve as the interim superintendent of the school district. 56 were here. The letter also noted that the situation did not rise to a level of needing to report it to local law enforcement, but the district administration and the school board of trustees followed legal guidance and protocols by informing the appropriate state education entities. DeVries is the director of Love Lives Here, an anti-discrimination group in the Flathead and part of the Montana Human Rights Network. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Arts in educational leadership with an endorsement in administration before moving back to Montana. Whitefish School District Your purchase today gives 10% back to your school! Apply Join or sign in to find your next job. It is a "sounding board", assisting school boards, educators, parents, students, and communities to understand federal, state, and local laws relevant to education. The far-right anti-government group has grown by 53 percent to more than 33,000 members, according to a new report from the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights. On behalf of the Whitefish School District's Board of Directors, we do thank all citizens for attending our scheduled Board meetings. THE WHITEFISH School District's COVID-19 guidelines and procedures prioritize in-person learning and also have a layered approach to mitigation strategies within school buildings. Privacy Policy Short biographies of each candidate were included in Means email, which was sent out prior to the interviews. Job specializations: Education. I think its funny even to call (parental rights) a movement. People are already feeling emboldened to claim their rights are being violated when they dont agree with decisions by elected officials, DeVries said. "In Phase III, there are several elements that continue as precautions for the spread of disease, including extra sanitation, social distancing, frequent hand washing, and students and staff staying home when sick and symptomatic.
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