Although she doesnt have any children of her own yet, she loves spending time with kids and volunteering in programs serving youth. 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. School Board governance is a non-partisan position that carries a wide range of responsibilities and duties. Listing for: Whitefish School District. The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. Background: Current Vice Chair for Whitefish School District School Board. 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. She and her husband, Ray, both taught in the Whitefish schools for their entire teaching careers. Whitefish, MT 59937 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. Quincy married Joel Shehan in 2001, and together they moved to the Flathead Valley in 2004. However, he would like to see that progression continue and figure out the next steps in returning kids to normalcy in the classroom. In my opinion, the most significant challenge is coming out of the pandemic both academically and emotionally. 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. 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. It was just humbling and incredible the amount of initiation random people who wed never met took to reach out she recalled. Editor's note: This Q&A article was compiled by Whitefish Pilot editor Whitney England. 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. 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. The board should consider creative options, such as involvement in affordable housing at the city level, or spearheading their own housing initiatives. Time: 6:00 PM. Vocal Music Students begin their quest for vocal music at Muldown Elementary and Whitefish Middle School show casing their talents at local district and building level events. P: 406.862.8650 F: 406.862.8664. Amina is also a science teacher at the middle school and a lawyer in the Air Force. I see the school district doing lots of good work, he said. 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. If you would like to email all of the school board trustees please send your email to. As far as how the district handled COVID-19 and reopening schools, she supports the decisions made regarding the hybrid teaching model. But do they leave the room feeling like they are heard and hopeful; I think I can offer that.. And in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrow supports the way the district handled reopening schools. During the pandemic and these generally difficult times, young peoples mental health has suffered. Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School. BA History and Political Science U of M. Minor Library Media U of M. But one main reason is to give back to the community. Two incumbents, Darcy Schellinger and Elizabeth Pitman, are seeking reelection while three new candidates are also running. Amina is also a science teacher at the middle school and a lawyer in the Air Force. Todd Lengacher is honored to join the board in the spring of 2021. She says she wants to make sure everyone living here and moving here is treated like an individual, not just a number. Suicide rates have increased. Thats something she believes every child should have. Why are you the best candidate for this position and what will you bring to the board if elected? She has a bachelor's in fine arts and communications, and currently working on her master's degree in professional counseling. 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 Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. 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. Employment Opportunities. 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. 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. Our schools have implemented multiple intervention strategies for those students in need of additional support through mentoring and individual tutoring. She also teaches communication courses at the college level. The Whitefish School District office at Central School downtown. 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. $570,000. And just very subtly, but very intentionally took care of us.. My degree from an elite university demonstrates my commitment to providing pathways to higher education for all students. Three years ago Lengacher and his family moved to Whitefish and chose this town specifically based on the size and the community. In addition to her work with schools, she also has experience in mediation. Written public correspondence can be submitted by emailing the Trustees at trustees@whitefishschools.org or by a written letter sent to the Whitefish School District Trustees at 600 East Second Street, Whitefish, MT 59937. Although new to living fulltime in Whitefish, Kearns didnt want to wait any longer to get involved in the community. She has a bachelor's in fine arts and communications, and currently working on her master's degree in professional counseling. 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.. Whitefish Schools have strong community support and I can use my open line of communication to continue to make the community feel connected and engaged. Id bring a sense of leadership and sharing in ideas, Morrow 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. There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. Although new to living fulltime in Whitefish, Kearns didnt want to wait any longer to get involved in the community. I come from a long line of teachers as well, children are just extremely important. The Zoom option is for viewing and listening only. I am committed to Whitefish kids and all the dedicated, talented professionals who support them. He was inspired to run in the trustee election because of his desire to serve and give back to the community. 406-862-3505. 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. I am running for the Whitefish School Board to bring the community together with a common goal of protecting the innocence of children while ensuring they have access to a quality education. Her favorite part of serving the community in this volunteer role is getting to visit the schools and see learning in action. 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. I am a Whitefish native and graduate of Whitefish Schools; I greatly value the educational opportunities offered by our schools. 406-862-3505. She says she wants to make sure everyone living here and moving here is treated like an individual, not just a number. Two incumbents, Darcy Schellinger and Elizabeth Pitman, are seeking reelection while three new candidates are also running. Although Diehl has never served on a school board before, he believes his leadership experience from his military career would be an asset to the Whitefish School Board. Staff: Intramurals: 1: Student Store: 1: Whitefish Middle School Student Council: 1: Yearbook Club: 1: Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web . Website Disclaimer. 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 would like to have a positive influence by helping to elevate the board itself. Volunteer at Muldown Elementary. Ive been in senior leadership positions quite often and understand the difficulties presented, he explained. Whitefish School District #44 is located in the scenic resort community of Whitefish, Montana. Bennetts grew up in Great Falls and her father was a school teacher for 40 years. Attracting and housing teachers and support staff is becoming more of a challenge and we need to think of community-based solutions. Bennetts and her family moved to the Flathead Valley in 2004, then settled into Whitefish 10 years later. Currently Jerrie is also serving on the Alpine Theater Project Board of Directors. Job in Whitefish - Flathead County - MT Montana - USA , 59937. P: (406) 862-8650 ! Our on-line Virtual High School (VHS) is open to students beginning in the 8th grade through high school. Currently Kearns is a stay at home parent to two daughters ages 2 and 5. It was just humbling and incredible the amount of initiation random people who wed never met took to reach out she recalled. Family: Husband Kyle is a Whitefish High School alum, daughter seventh grade at Whitefish Middle School, and son fourth grade at Muldown Elementary. Being so close with the work she does, he supports the data-driven approach that the school district took. As a mom of two Whitefish Schools students, Clarke's goal as a school board member is to advocate for every student to have the most positive and high-quality educational experience possible. 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. Candidate preferences are the decision of the Employer or Recruiting Agent, and are controlled by them alone. Student must have advanced computer skills for on-line success with VHS offerings. Whitefish Bay Schools | An Exceptional Place to Learn | Whitefish Bay . And I feel well informed just given the proximity to my wifes work.. Trustees serve in staggered three-year terms Current trustees. Each building has a PTA Volunteer Coordinator who would gladly assist you with your unique skills that may be shared with staff and students. She served as the local American Cancer Society Education Director for many years. 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 School District Back to top Whitefish independent High School Education Foundation About Whitefish Superintendent's Corner Bulldog Tip Line (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org News & Announcements WHS Expansion Update Whitefish High School Expansion Information Poster EMERGENCY School Closure Information Bennetts grew up in Great Falls and her father was a school teacher for 40 years. A strong educational program K-12 exists for all students. If you want to view and listen to the meeting via mobile device, you are encouraged to install the Zoom app. Prior to becoming a trustee I actively attended Whitefish School District board meetings and work sessions. 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. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career . 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. Of course were outdoor enthusiasts, so that was the first appeal; then the great schools, the fantastic gym, the theater, the awesome town, the airport. Our school district can look to other nearby districts and learn from how they use their funding to support programs for students who are in the most need of intervention and adapt our strategies accordingly. It is there she met her husband, Kyle, a Whitefish native. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot). And given his background in education, he feels like the Whitefish School Board would be a good fit. She and her husband enjoy everything outdoors from whitewater rafting to hiking to just being outside with their kids. In 2017 she said her family had a tough time after her husband was involved in a tragic avalanche accident in Glacier National Park. Full Time position. Jerrie Boksich was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and attended public schools. After living in a few different locations they came back to Whitefish in 2003. F: (406) 730-2176, 600 East 2nd St. Interested students have furthered their broadcasting skills due to their production knowledge and skills during this unique opportunity. 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 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. Im glad they didnt go completely remote because the detriment of that I saw in a student I was helping.. Ive been in senior leadership positions quite often and understand the difficulties presented, he explained. 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.. Our community is experiencing unprecedented growth and this increase in population impacts our students and our staff. (Courtesy photos). 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. The foundation has received several donations from Alumni, business leaders, and other individuals who value education and have provided gifts of stock, bonds, estate holdings and other financial resources. An aspect of life that is really important to Kearns is that relationships matter. I think were a growing economy in Whitefish; the challenge would be to serve every member of the community and know what their needs are because theyre coming from all different directions of the country, Morrow said. The high school is almost at student capacity with the growth of our community. As far as how the district handled COVID-19 and reopening schools, she supports the decisions made regarding the hybrid teaching model. My mediation skills are needed during such divided times. Having lived in different places, and living in Seattle, we were looking for a place where we could have more of a direct impact on the community he said. However, he would like to see that progression continue and figure out the next steps in returning kids to normalcy in the classroom. David Diehl is a retired U.S. Air Force command pilot and colonel who moved his family to Whitefish in July 2020. 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 Whitefish Bay School District is a top performing district in Wisconsin and the Midwest. The Whitefish School District office at Central School downtown. Copyright2005-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) -PowerSchool Group LLC and/or its affiliate(s), WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT600 East Second StreetWhitefish, MT 5993740686286404068621507. All responses are in the words of the candidates and edited only for style. Students have a wide selection of elective programs to include pottery, drawing and painting. 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. This can be done by continuing to responsibly spend covid funding to remedy these issues. Having a safe learning environment is paramount for our school districts staff and students. Although Diehl has never served on a school board before, he believes his leadership experience from his military career would be an asset to the Whitefish School Board. Business Teacher. DECA is the youngest activity at WHS with students taking several honors across the state and a national championship that included international competitors. Accommodating growth, utilizing resources efficiently and student mental health are important challenges our school district has been facing. He spent 20 years as an educator, 10 of those in administration, and has a masters in mathematics. 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. I feel like the hybrid model was a balance of the needs of maintaining safety as well as recognizing in-person education is invaluable.. 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. And I feel well informed just given the proximity to my wifes work., copyright 2023 Location: WMS - PAC. 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. 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. Please select a different job from those listed below. And out of the variety of ways to participate in building and shaping my community, serving on the school board is a great fit given my skills and experiences. Attended public schools in Billings; obtained a business finance degree from Montana State University in Bozeman. She served on the local and state Reading Councils and made many presentations at those as well as at the International Reading Association. Shannon is a Montana native who has called Whitefish home for more than thirty years. From his service in the military he has a vast amount of senior leadership experience, most notably in the U.S. Embassy in two different countries Thailand and Bolivia. Giving solid leadership direction along with flexibility, I think thats kind of the best you can hope for.. It has all the elements that makes it so appealing to all of us. Not only did I receive excellent academic preparation from Whitefish schools, it also provided a safe and caring place for me to be myself and grow into a productive community member. TalentEd Hire The election is May 4 and the mail-in ballots were sent out on April 16. 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. Dr. Katie Clarke is a communication researcher. I will strive to bring creative solutions to ensure fair and just policy, and reject policies that create more problems. Support should materialize into meaningful accommodation. The recent pandemic has resulted in a very divided community. 6th Grade and Intervention Teacher. Over the last year, Lengacher says he supports the decisions the board made regarding reopening schools during the pandemic. The schools annual Back to School Bash is a major event for our CARE program to demonstrate the chapters philosophy and mission. 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. 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. that will not be submitted. Of course were outdoor enthusiasts, so that was the first appeal; then the great schools, the fantastic gym, the theater, the awesome town, the airport. She said although her family felt they had roots in Whitefish long before that, the actions of the community solidified those feelings. Mrs. Kristine Yorba Secretary Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web Accessibility Statement. He is an incurable do-it yourselfer, enjoys cooking and being outdoors and has won awards for his writing and his photography. I bring accountability, when I tell someone Im going to do something, I do it; it doesnt matter if it feels uncomfortable.. Winter athletic programs for basketball has earned 3 state titlesboys (2), girls (1) and speech & debate (1).