Two incumbents, Darcy Schellinger and Elizabeth Pitman, are seeking reelection while three new candidates are also running. Speech and Debate activities offer students an opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of competitive events at both the local and state level. Location: WMS - PAC. Especially in Whitefish, it's a small community so your actions can have a direct and immediate impact.. Five trustee candidates are running for two open spots on the Whitefish School Board. The 2021 Whitefish School Board Trustee Candidates are Quincy Bennetts, David Diehl, Leanette Kearns, Todd Lengacher and Emily Morrow. As far as how the school district handled the COVID-19 pandemic, Diehl said he supported the districts methodical approach to reopening schools. The Whitefish School District office at Central School downtown. 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. Being so close with the work she does, he supports the data-driven approach that the school district took. 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. The schools annual Back to School Bash is a major event for our CARE program to demonstrate the chapters philosophy and mission. Whitefish School District. She also lived in Essex for a summer season working at the Snow Slip Inn in 2009. David Diehl now works as a director of operations at RightOnTrek. She served as the local American Cancer Society Education Director for many years. Employment Opportunities. Kearns would like to help mend that and wants to start by serving on the school board. Students in the Whitefish School District have several programs to choose in furthering their artistic skills: drama, instrumental music, vocal music, and visual arts. You have an incomplete application for Job specializations: Administrative/Clerical. In 2017 she said her family had a tough time after her husband was involved in a tragic avalanche accident in Glacier National Park. She said her personal qualities of commitment and loyalty will help her make a difference if she takes on this role. I am not privy to the inside workings of the schools, and all my dealings with any staff have exceeded my expectations. The queer community has become a targeted group recently and this should be addressed at the district level. Current trustees Ruth Harrison and Betsy Kohnstamm both . No jobs currently. I see the school district doing lots of good work, he said. I think the next step is allowing kids to go to school without wearing masks, we need to work towards that goal.. The election will be held on May 3 at the Whitefish School District Board Room, 600 East Second Street. Whitefish, MT 59937 Drama students continue to excel at our states Thespian Festival as an example great individual and group achievements. Copyright2005-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) -PowerSchool Group LLC and/or its affiliate(s), WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT600 East Second StreetWhitefish, MT 5993740686286404068621507. Giving solid leadership direction along with flexibility, I think thats kind of the best you can hope for.. We have lost sight of the value in bringing people together rather than driving them apart. If elected, Lengacher says other priorities would include understanding the impact that the pandemic has had on education and also how its accelerated the income, education and Access gap within the community. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, Todd Lengacher is honored to join the board in the spring of 2021. 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. F: (406) 862-8664, 1143 E. 4th St. copyright 2023 Occupation: Stay-at-home mom; previously worked in agriculture, mortgage and commercial lending. 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. I bring accountability, when I tell someone Im going to do something, I do it; it doesnt matter if it feels uncomfortable.. The interaction features such as share screen, chat, unmute, raise hand, are not enabled. From the outside looking in, Whitefish is a contentious area because we have so many people strongly anchored in opposing beliefs. Suicide rates have increased. The use of multiple assessment tools has vastly improved curriculum offerings and the instructional methods used to reach students at all levels of learning. 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. I think they did a really good job of managing an impossible situation.. Although she doesnt have any children of her own yet, she loves spending time with kids and volunteering in programs serving youth. F: (406) 730-2176, 600 East 2nd St. If elected he says his first task would just be to listen to the issues at hand and learn from the trustees, administrators and community members. Terms of Use | Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School. MA Technology and Learning WGU. 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).. Ive been in senior leadership positions quite often and understand the difficulties presented, he explained. Morrow has been a dancer her whole life and also enjoys going to restaurants and reading in her free time. High school enrollment is already nearing capacity. Family: Married to Bill Paatalo; three kids and one due this week. To view and listen to the School Board Meeting, a video link will be available the day of meeting. P: (406) 862-8650 Post administrative/clerical jobs for free; apply online for Education / School Secretary job Montana, USA. I have served four months as a school trustee, mentored students by providing shadowing experiences in the veterinary field and volunteering annually for Expanding Your Horizons, a national STEM event to introduce girls to careers and role models in their communities. Finally, bringing a science background to the board offers another perspective of data interpretation and problem-solving. 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. Suggestions may be selected), To be informed of or opt-out of these cookies, please see our. 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. Shannon is a Montana native who has called Whitefish home for more than thirty years. She and her husband enjoy everything outdoors from whitewater rafting to hiking to just being outside with their kids. Over the last year, Lengacher says he supports the decisions the board made regarding reopening schools during the pandemic. I am very dedicated; if I decide to do something I give it my all, she said. Trustees - School Board - School Board - Whitefish School District Trustees If you would like to email all of the school board trustees please send your email to trustees@whitefishschools. His wife has a masters in public health and has been highly involved in infection mitigation in Montana during the pandemic. If you would like to email all of the school board trustees please send your email to. And I really am supportive of standardized curriculum to support teachers, but at the same time not constrain their ability to be flexible.. 312 E. Second Street And in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrow supports the way the district handled reopening schools. However she does believe a huge concern facing the school district is continuing to recover from the educational setbacks and emotional disturbances to students caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her oldest daughter will start at Muldown in the fall. The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. 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. (Enter less keywords for more results. Its why I am on the board of CRYJ, why I became a Girl Scout leader, and why I am giving my time and energy to work on a play about social issues in our community. After moving around a lot as a youngster himself, Diehls father was also in the Air Force, he wanted his two kids to attend one high school instead of moving several times. From everyone I talked to, this district worked hard to put in place what I would call an adaptive management approach she said. An excellent tradition exists for all Whitefish High School athletic/activities programs. Interested students have furthered their broadcasting skills due to their production knowledge and skills during this unique opportunity. Mr. Josh Branstetter Principal Mr. Tyler Jones Assistant Principal Teachers. She also works full time as a pediatric physical therapist at Montana Childrens in Kalispell. You may choose to opt-out of ad cookies. WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT 600 East Second Street Whitefish, MT 59937 4068628640 4068621507 . The top challenges currently facing the district are issues related to the pandemic, growth of the student population and affordable housing. Zac Andrews, Montana West Realty, Active. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, Trustees serve in staggered three-year terms. 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. But now I think its time to continue along the same path in whatever the community and school district decide is the next marker. Their son Porter attends Muldown Elementary. I definitely want to come with the intention of open mindedness to the position, she said. It has all the elements that makes it so appealing to all of us. Privacy Policy I think that is a really important skill set that Im bringing to the table because our job on the school board is listening to a bunch of varied positions and opinions of people that are not agreeing with each other, Kearns said. Time: 6:00 PM. I come from a long line of teachers as well, children are just extremely important. 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. The District is proud of our proactive and dedicated PTA that serves staff and student in numerous ways throughout the school year. I will continue to promote open and honest communication, enrichment for students and mental health programs. 1143 E. 4th St. Whitefish, MT 59937 . District Calendar 22-23 rev_1-11-22.pdf (38 KB) I feel like Im a really good listener; I like to listen to all perspectives before weighing in on a decision.. The election is May 4 and the mail-in . Background: Current Vice Chair for Whitefish School District School Board. Location: Whitefish School District Board Room 600 East Second Street Whitefish, MT 59937. Background: Studied music at Cornish College of the Arts, political science at Oregon State University and various community colleges. 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. She acknowledges the challenges the pandemic caused in the educational setting, but also respects the decisions the district made by implementing the hybrid in person and online model. Five candidates are running for the Whitefish School Board. Five candidates are running for the Whitefish School Board. And just very subtly, but very intentionally took care of us.. Ms. Rachel Anderson . Serving my community and being involved in building and shaping my community in positive ways is important to me.