I am a Whitefish native and graduate of Whitefish Schools; I greatly value the educational opportunities offered by our schools. Although new to living fulltime in Whitefish, Kearns didnt want to wait any longer to get involved in the community. No jobs currently. My concern lies with the willingness of the board to step on the rights of parents. Education Factions Emerge in Whitefish School Board Race With five candidates seeking two seats on the Whitefish School District Board of Trustees, one candidate's profanity-laced email. Serving my community and being involved in building and shaping my community in positive ways is important to me. Several students have displayed their skills and talents by playing in the Glacier Symphony and Chorale which performs across the Flathead County. She just opened her own studio called Whitefish School of Ballet and serves as the artistic director. Darcy Schellinger grew up in Billings, MT and graduated with a degree in Business Finance from Montana State University. After living in a few different locations they came back to Whitefish in 2003. The 2021 Whitefish School Board Trustee Candidates are Quincy Bennetts, David Diehl, Leanette Kearns, Todd Lengacher and Emily Morrow. Ms. Victoria Buls. Spring programs consist of track & field, tennis and softballBulldog state track titles - boys (8), girls (3)Tennis state titles - boys (7), girls (1). We must eradicate the pop politics of the public square to preserve their innocence so they can put their energy into building skills to achieve after high school and build a life for themselves. But also with Whitefish Superintendent Dave Means only being a year into his new role and then a new principal starting at Muldown in the fall, she believes there will be challenges associated with the changes in leadership. It is there she met her husband, Kyle, a Whitefish native. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot) Five candidates are running for the Whitefish School Board. Especially in Whitefish, it's a small community so your actions can have a direct and immediate impact.. It reminded me of home people waved to me, they were friendly, they were genuine, she said. My mediation skills are needed during such divided times. P: (406) 862-8620 The top challenges currently facing the district are issues related to the pandemic, growth of the student population and affordable housing. Current trustees Ruth Harrison and Betsy Kohnstamm both decided not to run for reelection. The support, compassion and care we have shown each other as a community needs to continue as we deal with ongoing issues relating to the pandemic. (Enter less keywords for more results. I will continue to promote open and honest communication, enrichment for students and mental health programs. Staff Directory District Overview Directions 406.862.8640 Email Directions. When I talk about moving here and being in the school district, I understand that those values exist here, and I want to guard those and keep those.. We had a week at an Airbnb in Whitefish and just absolutely fell in love with it, he said. Emails or letters received after that will be included in the following month's business meeting materials. As far as how the district handled COVID-19 and reopening schools, she supports the decisions made regarding the hybrid teaching model. And just very subtly, but very intentionally took care of us.. Ive been in senior leadership positions quite often and understand the difficulties presented, he explained. Lengacher added that he believes all involved in the school district right now are doing wonderful things, but given the support for schools in Whitefish the door is wide open for even more improvements. Background: Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota; Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College; Former CEO and CFO of multiple dental offices; former President and VP of Austin Youth Hockey Association; former assistant high school hockey coach; former volunteer EMT and firefighter; volunteer for North Valley Search and Rescue. There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. Five candidates are running for the Whitefish School Board. And I feel well informed just given the proximity to my wifes work.. Being so close with the work she does, he supports the data-driven approach that the school district took. Major emphasis at the elementary level focuses on strong reading, language and math skills. F: (406) 862-2586, (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org, The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, 2023 School Board Trustee Election Information, Whitefish High School Expansion Information Poster, The 988 Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 free and confidential mental health support, Community Survey for Whitefish High School Expansion Extended, Whitefish School District Seeks Additional Input for Whitefish High School Expansion, WEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining Meeting. He also currently serves on the North Valley Food Bank and Whitefish Education Foundation boards, and is the executive director of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northwest Montana program. As much as anything, I want to leverage my experience with schools and with boards to build the best and highest functioning board we possibly can.. He also would like to have a positive influence by helping to elevate the board itself. Whitefish, MT 59937 I am not only familiar with all the topics that need to be addressed, but I will also continue to put my energy into providing a welcoming and enriching education for all students and creating a positive working environment for our staff. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot). As a current board member, my interest in this position begins with my strong belief in our public school system and our community as a whole. The board should consider creative options, such as involvement in affordable housing at the city level, or spearheading their own housing initiatives. F: (406) 862-2586, 1143 E. 4th St., Giving solid leadership direction along with flexibility, I think thats kind of the best you can hope for.. I am very dedicated; if I decide to do something I give it my all, she said. And in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrow supports the way the district handled reopening schools. I have a lot of skills and different perspectives and talents to offer in my service so I just felt really strongly that I should jump into that Kearns said. Her favorite part of serving the community in this volunteer role is getting to visit the schools and see learning in action. As the election approaches, Kearns hopes voters will keep in mind that although shes new to living in Whitefish, she understands the community and just has a desire to serve for the betterment of local education. I will stand up for our children, parents and teachers by seeking to level the playing field for all. I think theyre one of the most important demographics that we have and the best investment is in the development of a child, she added. A Whitefish native, Elizabeth has called Whitefish home for 38 years. Full Time position. I have a lot of skills and different perspectives and talents to offer in my service so I just felt really strongly that I should jump into that Kearns said. A close family friend, Ben Parsons, passed away from the accident and Bennetts says the community of Whitefish stepped up to support her family during the hardship. Attracting and housing teachers and support staff is becoming more of a challenge and we need to think of community-based solutions. For further information, please visit their website at, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, http://www.whitefisheducationfoundation.org/. My goal is to reunite our district with the common goal of doing what is best for our children, which is ultimately what is best for society as a whole. Bennetts expressed great respect for the current board members, administrators, district staff and everyone already involved in the district. No, I do not want to apply for that job. Since then shes wanted to find a way she could leverage her skillset and contribute to the betterment of the community running for school board seemed like a great opportunity to do just that. It's a tumultuous time, and we must fight against the spirit of the age's attempt to create a new normal for our kids. Location: Whitefish School District Board Room 600 East Second Street Whitefish, MT 59937 Terms of Use | From everyone I talked to, this district worked hard to put in place what I would call an adaptive management approach she said. And looking forward he would welcome contributing to the board as a trustee as they make further decisions regarding the pandemic, such as decisions involving vaccinations. Suggestions may be selected), To be informed of or opt-out of these cookies, please see our. Currently Jerrie is also serving on the Alpine Theater Project Board of Directors. We had a week at an Airbnb in Whitefish and just absolutely fell in love with it, he said. Current trustees Ruth Harrison and Betsy Kohnstamm both decided not to run for reelection. She also works full time as a pediatric physical therapist at Montana Childrens in Kalispell. Positions open: 3\nTerm: 3 years\nDeadline for candidate filing: Thursday March 23, 2023 at 4:30pm at the District Office\n\nPlease pick up the candid. The secondary program has excellent fine arts programs along with the advance placement classes in English, Government, Science, and Math. P: (406) 862-8688 An injury ended her professional dancing career, but opened up the opportunity to move somewhere new and start a dance school. She says she wants to make sure everyone living here and moving here is treated like an individual, not just a number. Accommodating growth, utilizing resources efficiently and student mental health are important challenges our school district has been facing. She admitted that the board and administrators were in a tough situation and did the best they could at the time. Ive been in senior leadership positions quite often and understand the difficulties presented, he explained. I applaud the boards decision to use COVID recovery funds for mental health resources, and there should be continued effort to look at factors impacting students and solutions at a systemic level. Lastly she added that with skills shes obtained through her career combined with her hardworking attitude she knows she could make a positive impact if elected to the board. And in addition, bringing more support and professional development to faculty. In the past she worked for a nonprofit that partnered with schools to deliver extended programming this work helped her grow to recognize the struggles that teachers and students face daily. Emily Morrow believes that children are one of the most important demographics and has been committed to serving kids in many ways throughout her life. There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. Children are the future of our country, and I believe it is essential for their success to provide them with a solid educational foundation that is instruction-based and not agenda-driven. Family, educational and community involvement are Jerries passions. Staff Directory Photo Album Contact Us Bulldog Tip Line (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org News & Announcements 2023 School Board Trustee Election Information Positions open: 3 Term: 3 years Deadline for candidate filing: Thursday March 23, 2023 at 4:30pm at the District Office Instrumental Music all students have the choice of instruments beginning with the 5th grade and may specialize with one or more instruments by the time they finish their high school career. Through this work she developed a skill set that she believes would be beneficial to have on the Whitefish School Board. Please select a different job from those listed below. Giving solid leadership direction along with flexibility, I think thats kind of the best you can hope for.. In the past year just seeing the way public discourse has evolved and how relationships in our communities have become so fractured, it made me rethink waiting (to get involved).. She has resided in Whitefish since 1967. Show Calendar. Unfortunately, this position is no longer available. What really drew me here was the people that live here they have these wonderful qualities of really fierce independence and strength, coupled with a very strong sense of community, Kearns said. Visual Arts The districts visual arts programs begin at the elementary level and truly excel at the high school level. No just policy has within its construction the power to excuse child abuse and violation from its effects, whether through denial, ignoring, or in the name of a false, or even a true premise. Whitefish Bay Schools | An Exceptional Place to Learn | Whitefish Bay . Ms. Catey Nasello Principal Mr. John Coyne Assistant Principal . Lengacher and his wife Erica have one 8-year-old daughter and naturally they were looking for somewhere enjoyable to raise her. Hes worked in schools both domestically and internationally, helping to develop educational programs in 13 countries. She had a great public schooling experience all the way from kindergarten through her postsecondary education at University of Montana, and knows her education has allowed her many opportunities in life. Thats something she believes every child should have. Mr. Gary Carmichael. She and her husband, Ray, both taught in the Whitefish schools for their entire teaching careers. PLEASE NOTE: All emails will be posted as public correspondenceat the next school board business meeting. He was inspired to run in the trustee election because of his desire to serve and give back to the community. Fall sports of cross country, football, golf, soccer and volleyball have consistently won state titles. And just very subtly, but very intentionally took care of us.. Her oldest daughter will start at Muldown in the fall. In the past year just seeing the way public discourse has evolved and how relationships in our communities have become so fractured, it made me rethink waiting (to get involved).. Search: There is no staff matching your search criteria Teachers. Any chance I get I love to spend time with children Children are always the center of my life, she said. Morrow has been a dancer her whole life and also enjoys going to restaurants and reading in her free time. Having spent so much time in education and that I am connected to it in different ways, going back to the thread of wanting to be involved in the community its a pretty obvious way given my work experience, he said. Suicide rates have increased. $570,000. Job specializations: Administrative/Clerical. 312 E. Second Street I dont know what all our needs are right now, so first of all I want to be a sounding board and listen and learn, Diehl said. Amina is also a science teacher at the middle school and a lawyer in the Air Force. Whitefish, MT 59937 Since then shes wanted to find a way she could leverage her skillset and contribute to the betterment of the community running for school board seemed like a great opportunity to do just that. Parents and teachers should be allowed and encouraged to have input, and their concerns should not be ignored. She just opened her own studio called Whitefish School of Ballet and serves as the artistic director. 1143 E. 4th St. Whitefish, MT 59937 . Whitefish High School. DECA is the youngest activity at WHS with students taking several honors across the state and a national championship that included international competitors. Occupation: Stay-at-home mom; previously worked in agriculture, mortgage and commercial lending. She had a great public schooling experience all the way from kindergarten through her postsecondary education at University of Montana, and knows her education has allowed her many opportunities in life. I don't have a dog in the fight to control families, my dog is in the fight to raise kids the way parents see fit and protect the rights of others to do the same. Study after study reveals that every school that is really excelling, by whatever metric, has a board that is excellent by every metric, he says. The interaction features such as share screen, chat, unmute, raise hand, are not enabled. 600 East 2nd St. Whitefish, MT 59937 . During the pandemic, a group of average, common people on the school board unanimously took unprecedented action to usurp control from parents over their children's bodies. I think the school district did a great job taking it really seriously, doing its homework and trusting in data and science, which I really appreciate, Lengacher said. Muldown Elementary School; Whitefish Middle School; Whitefish High School; Whitefish Independent High School . Diehl says one of his strongest qualities that he would contribute to the board is his ability to listen and his desire to hear all points of the issue before making any recommendations. She says she wants to make sure everyone living here and moving here is treated like an individual, not just a number. Elizabeth is a Veterinarian at Alpine Animal Hospital in Whitefish. It has all the elements that makes it so appealing to all of us. Ray and Jerrie directed the American Field Service (AFS) exchange student program in Montana for many years. Board of Trustees Monthly Work Session. Being so close with the work she does, he supports the data-driven approach that the school district took. He added that other priorities for him as a trustee would include ensuring quality teaching materials and a supportive standardized curriculum for teachers, empowering kids to make their own decisions, supporting extracurricular programs and improving communication in parent-teacher relationships across the district. David Diehl is a retired U.S. Air Force command pilot and colonel who moved his family to Whitefish in July 2020. They have an 8 year old daughter who loves horseback riding and her friends. Candidates listed in alphabetical order by last name: Occupation: Dentist (disabled due to a hand injury), stay-at-home mom. Its time to bring back compassion, kindness and compromise to the table, fostering relationships along the way. She says she always had a desire to get into local politics and government and knows she has a lot to offer in the role. In addition, I have extensive business experience dealing with budgets, personnel and scheduling, and I have held many volunteer roles in the community. Whitefish Bay School District is a top performing district in Wisconsin and the Midwest. The mental, emotional and physical well-being of our students, staff and entire community have been impacted by living with a pandemic for the last two years. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, Whitefish Middle School Back to top Bulldog Tip Line (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org News & Announcements 7th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament @ West Valley 8th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament @ Kalispell Middle School Whitefish High School Expansion Information Poster The Bulldog Buzz Background: Current Vice Chair for Whitefish School District School Board. I feel like Im a really good listener; I like to listen to all perspectives before weighing in on a decision.. Why are you the best candidate for this position and what will you bring to the board if elected? Kearns and her family moved to Whitefish in September 2020, although they have been coming to the area to visit often since her husbands family has owned a cabin in Essex for many years. Jerries commitment to providing excellent education for the students of Whitefish was the reason for her desire to serve on the Whitefish School Board. But now I think its time to continue along the same path in whatever the community and school district decide is the next marker. In the past she worked for a nonprofit that partnered with schools to deliver extended programming this work helped her grow to recognize the struggles that teachers and students face daily. In the 2022 Whitefish School District election, there are five trustee candidates running for two open positions. (Courtesy photos). Bennetts expressed great respect for the current board members, administrators, district staff and everyone already involved in the district. Would you like to continue working on this application? Drama students in both the middle and high school have opportunities to participate in one act plays, full production plays, and may be viewed by students and by the community alike on several performance dates. Various art shows have displayed student works across the county, state and at the national level. She and her husband Joel Shehan have one son in third grade at Muldown Elementary and the family enjoys being in the outdoors, especially hiking and paddle boarding. I feel like the hybrid model was a balance of the needs of maintaining safety as well as recognizing in-person education is invaluable.. Being a veterinarian in our community provides me with the ability to interact with diverse community members on a daily basis. Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School. Dr. Katie Clarke is a communication researcher. She taught Education Through Music classes for teachers throughout the state. As a parent of young children, working in the service industry and a woman of color, its clear this perspective is absent in our communitys leadership. | Winter athletic programs for basketball has earned 3 state titlesboys (2), girls (1) and speech & debate (1). When considering the issues facing the school district, COVID and continuing to adapt to the issues arising from the pandemic is definitely on her mind, she notes. Yes, take me to my job application. Joined by their golden retriever, they all enjoy supporting the local outdoor community and are grateful for the accessible, beautiful places that surround Whitefish.

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