A Whitefish native, Elizabeth has called Whitefish home for 38 years. The district is engaged with leaders in the community to work towards affordable housing solutions. 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.. A strong educational program K-12 exists for all students. An injury ended her professional dancing career, but opened up the opportunity to move somewhere new and start a dance school. 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. 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. After staying a week in Whitefish, Diehl says it just felt like home. Whitefish Bay Schools | An Exceptional Place to Learn | Whitefish Bay . Volunteer at Muldown Elementary. Students have a wide selection of elective programs to include pottery, drawing and painting. For more information on the election call the district office at 862-8640. Family, educational and community involvement are Jerries passions. But now I think its time to continue along the same path in whatever the community and school district decide is the next marker. Morrow said shes never served on a school board or other government board before, but has held plenty of leadership positions throughout her life. 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. 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. Whitefish School District election features five trustee candidates Whitefish School District #44 is located in the scenic resort community of. Mr. Josh Branstetter Principal Mr. Tyler Jones Assistant Principal Teachers. Ballots for those registered as absentee should have already hit the mailboxes in Whitefish and are due back to the Whitefish School District Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Her post high school education included an undergraduate degree in History from University of Puget Sound (2006) and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University (2012). 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. 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. My children will be attending school in the Whitefish district for the next 13 consecutive years. Our schools have implemented multiple intervention strategies for those students in need of additional support through mentoring and individual tutoring. Her favorite part of serving the community in this volunteer role is getting to visit the schools and see learning in action. And I really am supportive of standardized curriculum to support teachers, but at the same time not constrain their ability to be flexible.. 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. F: (406) 862-8664, 1143 E. 4th St. 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. Two incumbents, Darcy Schellinger and Elizabeth Pitman, are seeking reelection while three new candidates are also running. But in addition to those interests, Lengacher has an even stronger passion to serve in the local community. During the pandemic and these generally difficult times, young peoples mental health has suffered. They have an 8 year old daughter who loves horseback riding and her friends. Finally, bringing a science background to the board offers another perspective of data interpretation and problem-solving. After living in a few different locations they came back to Whitefish in 2003. If you would like to email all of the school board trustees please send your email to. He spent 20 years as an educator, 10 of those in administration, and has a masters in mathematics. Being so close with the work she does, he supports the data-driven approach that the school district took. Staff - Whitefishschools.org Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in . 600 East 2nd St. Whitefish, MT 59937 . Date: Mar 21. 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. Home - Overview - Whitefish School District I have three years of experience, which brings existing positive relationships with staff and the community. Clubs and Activities - Whitefish Middle School 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. DECA is the youngest activity at WHS with students taking several honors across the state and a national championship that included international competitors. Dr. Katie Clarke is a communication researcher. The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community, (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, 2023 School Board Trustee Election Information, 7th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament @ West Valley, 8th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament @ Kalispell Middle School, Whitefish High School Expansion Information Poster, Whitefish School District Seeks Additional Input for Whitefish High School Expansion, The 988 Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 free and confidential mental health support. P: 406.862.8650 F: 406.862.8664. Choices of program include orchestra, band and the drum line. Drama students continue to excel at our states Thespian Festival as an example great individual and group achievements. I think they did a really good job of managing an impossible situation.. His wife has a masters in public health and has been highly involved in infection mitigation in Montana during the pandemic. Staff - Whitefish Middle School Todd Lengacher is honored to join the board in the spring of 2021. 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. In 2017 she said her family had a tough time after her husband was involved in a tragic avalanche accident in Glacier National Park. 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.. F: (406) 862-2586, 1143 E. 4th St., Over the last year, Lengacher says he supports the decisions the board made regarding reopening schools during the pandemic. Diverse perspectives are crucial in order to govern a community in a representative way. The queer community has become a targeted group recently and this should be addressed at the district level. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, Leanette Kearns has an understanding of schools and the challenges teachers, staff and students face daily. He was inspired to run in the trustee election because of his desire to serve and give back to the community. Current trustees Ruth Harrison and Betsy Kohnstamm both . - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, 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. From everyone I talked to, this district worked hard to put in place what I would call an adaptive management approach she said. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community 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 says she always had a desire to get into local politics and government and knows she has a lot to offer in the role. He and his wife were married on their family property on Flathead Lake and eventually moved to Whitefish in 2018. Lengacher and his wife Erica have one 8-year-old daughter and naturally they were looking for somewhere enjoyable to raise her. Show Calendar. Shannon is a Montana native who has called Whitefish home for more than thirty years. The 2021 Whitefish School Board Trustee Candidates are Quincy Bennetts, David Diehl, Leanette Kearns, Todd Lengacher and Emily Morrow. P: (406) 862-8620 Bennetts expressed great respect for the current board members, administrators, district staff and everyone already involved in the district. 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.. Interested students have furthered their broadcasting skills due to their production knowledge and skills during this unique opportunity. 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. Whitefish, MT 59937 Although new to living fulltime in Whitefish, Kearns didnt want to wait any longer to get involved in the community. Whitefish Bay School District | Whitefish Bay WI - Facebook I understand the importance of working as a team and invite differences in opinion which results in more creative problem-solving. 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. Ms. Rachel Anderson . Our community is experiencing unprecedented growth and this increase in population impacts our students and our staff. And I really am supportive of standardized curriculum to support teachers, but at the same time not constrain their ability to be flexible.. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community Terms of Use | Students also have the option of attending Flathead Valley Community College by taking classes of their choice in the Running Start program. Our on-line Virtual High School (VHS) is open to students beginning in the 8th grade through high school. F: (406) 730-2176, 600 East 2nd St. And given his background in education, he feels like the Whitefish School Board would be a good fit. To this board Todd brings school and nonprofit board experience. F: (406) 862-8664, 1143 E. 4th St. 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.. 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. Over 300 course offerings are available to students who have an interest and aptitude to challenge them in a diverse curriculum taught by nationally known instructors. Coordinators & Supervisors: 4.00: Total Guidance Counselors: The School Board needs to engage with other community groups to find solutions for our housing issues. It has all the elements that makes it so appealing to all of us. Whitefish High School Back to top Block Schedule Classes/Homework Staff Directory Photo Album Contact Us Bulldog Tip Line (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org News & Announcements WHS PRINCE FREY & PRINCESS FREYA ARE COLBY WHARTON & COLE PICKERT!!! Muldown elementary School. 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. Free administrative/clerical job search site: School Secretary job in Whitefish Montana, USA. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, Note that applications are not being accepted from your jurisdiction for this job currently via this jobsite. 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.. Several students have displayed their skills and talents by playing in the Glacier Symphony and Chorale which performs across the Flathead County. 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. It has all the elements that makes it so appealing to all of us. David Diehl now works as a director of operations at RightOnTrek. District Calendar 22-23 rev_1-11-22.pdf (38 KB) 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. 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. 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 see the school district doing lots of good work, he said. Voices on all sides have felt unheard. 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. The election is May 4 and the mail-in . 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. P: (406) 862-8650 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. Student must have advanced computer skills for on-line success with VHS offerings. Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School. 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. My degree from an elite university demonstrates my commitment to providing pathways to higher education for all students. Kearns would like to help mend that and wants to start by serving on the school board. 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. She taught Education Through Music classes for teachers throughout the state. Support should materialize into meaningful accommodation. 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. 406-862-3505. I do not envy those decisions they had to make, she said. I will strive to bring creative solutions to ensure fair and just policy, and reject policies that create more problems. Suicide rates have increased. Whitefish, MT 59937 But one main reason is to give back to the community. Previously served on the Whitefish Rotary board, Childrens House Montessori and Flathead Youth Home boards. 2023 School Board Trustee Election Information Her interest in children is a huge reason why she is running for a trustee seat on the Whitefish School Board. After staying a week in Whitefish, Diehl says it just felt like home. Emails or letters received after that will be included in the following month's business meeting materials. Major emphasis at the elementary level focuses on strong reading, language and math skills. What is the most important issue(s) facing the Whitefish School District right now and how would you work to address it? 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. I definitely want to come with the intention of open mindedness to the position, she said. Jerrie taught all grades in many classroom positions from K to 8, including 14 years of Gifted and Talented, curriculum development and teacher training. Through this work she developed a skill set that she believes would be beneficial to have on the Whitefish School Board. 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. Students in the Whitefish School District have several programs to choose in furthering their artistic skills: drama, instrumental music, vocal music, and visual arts. Especially in Whitefish, it's a small community so your actions can have a direct and immediate impact.. Ill show up prepared and do the very best I can to represent all the needs of the varying parties.. You have an incomplete application for 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. Kearns would like to help mend that and wants to start by serving on the school board.