Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School. Although she doesnt have any children of her own yet, she loves spending time with kids and volunteering in programs serving youth. I come from a long line of teachers as well, children are just extremely important. Being so close with the work she does, he supports the data-driven approach that the school district took. 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. Family: I am very lucky to have my parents and siblings close by and I have a niece and nephew in the Whitefish Schools. Any chance I get I love to spend time with children Children are always the center of my life, she said. 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 probably wish they had gone back to school (in-person) earlier, but I dont fault them for being cautious, she said. The family enjoys skiing, spending time outdoors and fishing, Lengacher himself says given a free day he would be out on a river fly fishing. Three years ago Lengacher and his family moved to Whitefish and chose this town specifically based on the size and the community. Website Disclaimer. $790,000. Leanette Kearns has an understanding of schools and the challenges teachers, staff and students face daily. Three years ago the outdoor-loving family visited Whitefish and Glacier National Park while looking for a location to call home after Diehl retired from the military. Currently Kearns is a stay at home parent to two daughters ages 2 and 5. I feel this pay it forward, as far as Im incredibly grateful for my career and my education that I received as part of a Montana public school system that allows me to have the life I have today; I want that for every kid.. Would you like to continue working on this application? Whitefish, MT 59937 The need to provide additional educational and mental health support is a top priority for me. Job in Whitefish - Flathead County - MT Montana - USA , 59937. 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. MA Technology and Learning WGU. PLEASE NOTE: All emails will be posted as public correspondenceat the next school board business meeting. 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. Coordinators & Supervisors: 4.00: Total Guidance Counselors: She has a bachelor's in fine arts and communications, and currently working on her master's degree in professional counseling. You have an incomplete application for Mr. Josh Branstetter Principal Mr. Tyler Jones Assistant Principal Teachers. Lengacher has long family ties to the valley as his inlaws have owned property on Flathead Lake for many years. The election is in person this year and the polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 3 for residents to cast their vote. Thats something she believes every child should have. She and her husband enjoy everything outdoors from whitewater rafting to hiking to just being outside with their kids. Wfbschools.com - Whitefish Bay Schools | An Exceptional Place to Learn As real estate prices accelerate, finding affordable homes for school employees is becoming more difficult. I think they did a really good job of managing an impossible situation.. Morrow moved to Whitefish one year ago in search of a friendly place to settle down and potentially start a family. Bennetts and her family moved to the Flathead Valley in 2004, then settled into Whitefish 10 years later. She taught Education Through Music classes for teachers throughout the state. (Courtesy photos). Location: Whitefish School District Board Room 600 East Second Street Whitefish, MT 59937 It has all the elements that makes it so appealing to all of us. I feel like the hybrid model was a balance of the needs of maintaining safety as well as recognizing in-person education is invaluable.. Students in the Whitefish School District have several programs to choose in furthering their artistic skills: drama, instrumental music, vocal music, and visual arts. How do we all catch up after the last year to two years of interrupted educational experiences and make sure were serving all these kids not just their educational needs but the extreme stress and emotional burden that theyve been carrying, she said. My concern lies with the willingness of the board to step on the rights of parents. After staying a week in Whitefish, Diehl says it just felt like home. (Provided photos). Terms of Use | 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. For more information on ballots, contact the Whitefish School District office at 862-8640. TalentEd Hire But now I think its time to continue along the same path in whatever the community and school district decide is the next marker. If you want to view and listen to the meeting via mobile device, you are encouraged to install the Zoom app. Zac Andrews, Montana West Realty, Active. I am very dedicated; if I decide to do something I give it my all, she said. 1143 E. 4th St. Whitefish, MT 59937 . Although originally from Dallas, she was living in Las Vegas and was a dancer for Cirque du Soleil. Emails or letters received after that will be included in the following month's business meeting materials. For in-depth information, please visit the districts website. Staff and students have received training in the Montana Behavior Institute, ASIST program, Student Assistance Training program, Second Step, Respect of Us and Stop, Talk, Walk. Two incumbents, Darcy Schellinger and Elizabeth Pitman, are seeking reelection while three new candidates are also running. From everyone I talked to, this district worked hard to put in place what I would call an adaptive management approach she said. 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. 312 E. Second Street After staying a week in Whitefish, Diehl says it just felt like home. Full Time position. The election is May 4 and the mail-in . 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. Jerrie Boksich was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and attended public schools. In 2017 she said her family had a tough time after her husband was involved in a tragic avalanche accident in Glacier National Park. The election is May 4 and the mail-in ballots were sent out on April 16. She also works full time as a pediatric physical therapist at Montana Childrens in Kalispell. He has worked as a teacher, administrator, and program director for over 20 years. Bennetts says she was inspired to run for school board for a number of reasons including wanting to help make sure every child has access to an excellent education. 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. To begin a new application, choose a job from the available listings below. Whitefish High School Calendar Facebook Home Students Big Ideas Check Grades Student Email Student Handbook School Calendar Registration Handbook Bring Your Own Device Teachers/ Staff Daily Schedule Clubs & Activities Odysseyware Edgenuity Student Assistance Program Google Docs Coping with Grief Google Classroom MT EdReady Whitefish, MT 59937 Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career . Homes for Sale Near 5333 Highway 93 S. 10 ACRES. Joined by their golden retriever, they all enjoy supporting the local outdoor community and are grateful for the accessible, beautiful places that surround Whitefish. The School Board needs to engage with other community groups to find solutions for our housing issues. Search: There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. First and foremost I just want to volunteer my time and energy to better the community, he said. I think Im really interested in vision and goal planning with the district and getting involved in that process.. Todd Lengacher is honored to join the board in the spring of 2021. The election is May 4 and the mail-in ballots are scheduled to be sent out on April 14 and arrive in voters mailboxes by next week. Business Teacher. Whitefish School District #44 is located in the scenic resort community of Whitefish, Montana. Especially in Whitefish, it's a small community so your actions can have a direct and immediate impact.. Theres people who have been on the board and dedicated educators who are in the trenches that I want to hear from to learn what they view as the priorities first.. Quincy Bennetts is a Montana native who feels indebted to her community of Whitefish and also has an eagerness to put her own skills and personal qualities to use for the betterment of local public schools. $570,000. The top challenges currently facing the district are issues related to the pandemic, growth of the student population and affordable housing. She said although her family felt they had roots in Whitefish long before that, the actions of the community solidified those feelings. She and her husband, Ray, both taught in the Whitefish schools for their entire teaching careers. Whitefish, MT 59937 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. Lengacher and his wife Erica have one 8-year-old daughter and naturally they were looking for somewhere enjoyable to raise her. 312 E. Second Street Bennetts grew up in Great Falls and her father was a school teacher for 40 years. There is no room for a narrow focus or agenda. Im actually looking forward to, if I were on the board, helping begin to make a plan for that, he expressed. He was inspired to run in the trustee election because of his desire to serve and give back to the community. I definitely want to come with the intention of open mindedness to the position, she said. Students are expected to complete a rigorous academic program from kindergarten through grade 12. 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. 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. 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. Currently Jerrie is also serving on the Alpine Theater Project Board of Directors. Any chance I get I love to spend time with children Children are always the center of my life, she said. The recent pandemic has resulted in a very divided community. Although new to living fulltime in Whitefish, Kearns didnt want to wait any longer to get involved in the community. All responses are in the words of the candidates and edited only for style. 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. P: (4069 862-8600 The board should consider creative options, such as involvement in affordable housing at the city level, or spearheading their own housing initiatives. 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. copyright 2023 Family: Husband Kyle is a Whitefish High School alum, daughter seventh grade at Whitefish Middle School, and son fourth grade at Muldown Elementary. And just very subtly, but very intentionally took care of us.. 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. Todd Lengacher has a vast amount of experience in education coupled with a strong desire to be involved in the community and local schools. Employment Opportunities. Ive been in senior leadership positions quite often and understand the difficulties presented, he explained. 56 were here. Theres people who have been on the board and dedicated educators who are in the trenches that I want to hear from to learn what they view as the priorities first.. The 2021 Whitefish School Board Trustee Candidates are Quincy Bennetts, David Diehl, Leanette Kearns, Todd Lengacher and Emily Morrow. 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. In the 2022 Whitefish School District election, there are five trustee candidates running for two open positions. She admitted that the board and administrators were in a tough situation and did the best they could at the time. 2022-2023 WSD School Calendar. I come from a long line of teachers as well, children are just extremely important. Previously served on the Whitefish Rotary board, Childrens House Montessori and Flathead Youth Home boards. Amina is also a science teacher at the middle school and a lawyer in the Air Force. There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. Show Calendar. 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. The secondary program has excellent fine arts programs along with the advance placement classes in English, Government, Science, and Math. Two incumbents, Darcy Schellinger and Elizabeth Pitman, are seeking reelection while three new candidates are also running. Todd and his wife met at a small progressive K-12 school in Seattle and they also worked together at a boarding school on a 500 acre working farm in southern Vermont. Morrow has been a dancer her whole life and also enjoys going to restaurants and reading in her free time. | I see the school district doing lots of good work, he said. The board should support all parents, despite personal differences. Im glad they didnt go completely remote because the detriment of that I saw in a student I was helping.. There are some changes that just inevitably bring challenges because that is how new leadership works, she expressed. They have an 8 year old daughter who loves horseback riding and her friends. Whitefish School District. Candidate preferences are the decision of the Employer or Recruiting Agent, and are controlled by them alone. It reminded me of home people waved to me, they were friendly, they were genuine, she said. With COVID and the influx of new people in Whitefish, she sees that the community togetherness is starting to become divisive. What is the most important issue(s) facing the Whitefish School District right now and how would you work to address it? Bennetts says she was inspired to run for school board for a number of reasons including wanting to help make sure every child has access to an excellent education. 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. I bring accountability, when I tell someone Im going to do something, I do it; it doesnt matter if it feels uncomfortable., copyright 2023 Ms. Rachel Anderson . P: (4069 862-8600 Winter athletic programs for basketball has earned 3 state titlesboys (2), girls (1) and speech & debate (1). Ms. Catey Nasello Principal Mr. John Coyne Assistant Principal . One of the things that drew her to Whitefish, which she discovered on a ski vacation with friends, was that people were friendly and the community. The city and outlying areas compose a population of 10,000 citizens. Whitefish, MT 59937 In addition to working in education in Seattle, Vermont, and Montana, Todd worked at a school in Spain and developed educational and community-based programming in South & Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. I am a Whitefish native and graduate of Whitefish Schools; I greatly value the educational opportunities offered by our schools. Jerries commitment to providing excellent education for the students of Whitefish was the reason for her desire to serve on the Whitefish School Board. I can get established in the community and serve it at the same time.. As far as how the district handled COVID-19 and reopening schools, she supports the decisions made regarding the hybrid teaching model. The Whitefish School District office at Central School downtown. Darcy Schellinger grew up in Billings, MT and graduated with a degree in Business Finance from Montana State University. that will not be submitted. Please select a different job from those listed below. Candidates listed in alphabetical order by last name: Occupation: Dentist (disabled due to a hand injury), stay-at-home mom. Whitefish, MT 59937 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. 1296 Whitefish Village Dr, It has all the elements that makes it so appealing to all of us. They have been involved in the Whitefish Winter Carnival in many capacities for 30 years including serving as the King and Queen of the carnival in 2016. The District is proud of our proactive and dedicated PTA that serves staff and student in numerous ways throughout the school year. Mr. Al Hammel Alternative Teacher . These essential cookies may also be used for improvements, site monitoring and security. (Enter less keywords for more results. 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. There should never be a policy void of faith and trust in the parents who love these children. The Whitefish School District Education Foundation is a community based non-profit fund raising organization established to maintain and enhance the educational opportunities, programs and standards of the Whitefish School District. 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. He also would like to have a positive influence by helping to elevate the board itself. I probably wish they had gone back to school (in-person) earlier, but I dont fault them for being cautious, she said. As the pandemic narrative on masking and jabs unravels, it's clear our children were subject to political agendas and not health measures. 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. It reminded me of home people waved to me, they were friendly, they were genuine, she said. Family: Married to Bill Paatalo; three kids and one due this week. Dr. Katie Clarke is a communication researcher. WHS students have the additional opportunity to take part in a variety of interest clubs: Weightlifting, Young Democrats, Math, National Honor Society, United Students, Key Club, Young Life, Computer Club, French and Spanish Clubs. He spent 20 years as an educator, 10 of those in administration, and has a masters in mathematics. Ive always been interested in the educational and artistic development of children. Ms. Catey Nasello Principal Mr. John Coyne Assistant Principal . Shannon is a Montana native who has called Whitefish home for more than thirty years. F: (406) 862-2586, 1143 E. 4th St., Background: Studied music at Cornish College of the Arts, political science at Oregon State University and various community colleges. Affordable housing is an issue for many in the community, and this includes school personnel. 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. And I feel well informed just given the proximity to my wifes work., copyright 2023 Visual Arts The districts visual arts programs begin at the elementary level and truly excel at the high school level. And in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrow supports the way the district handled reopening schools. Im glad they didnt go completely remote because the detriment of that I saw in a student I was helping.. 2010 saw our first national 1st place winner in the category of Hospitality and Tourism. I am running for reelection as there is a direct correlation between high student achievement outcomes and low board member turnover. I can get established in the community and serve it at the same time.. Mr. Gary Carmichael. 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.. Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School. While most recently living in Seattle, his family was coming out to the Flathead Valley more often and developing a stronger desire to stay in Montana. Volunteer at Muldown Elementary. Search: There is no staff matching your search criteria Teachers. Individual fall sports and their state titles; cross country girls (3)football (1)girls golf (16) and boys (12)soccer boys (3), girls (2)volleyball (6). Pet exams oftentimes turn into conversations about our lives, families and various community topics. She said although her family felt they had roots in Whitefish long before that, the actions of the community solidified those feelings. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot) Five candidates are running for the Whitefish School Board. Transparency of politically charged curriculum is a must, but not enough. WMS Jazz Band Festival @ U of M. Date: Mar 17. 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. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, I feel like I have the capacity and the will to give back., Secondly I really feel that childhood education sets the foundation for success in life.. The election is May 4 and the mail-in ballots are scheduled to be sent out on April 14 and arrive in voter's mailboxes by next week.