001I'm going to call this special board meeting to order for April 28th, 2026. Uh, are there any redisions to the agenda this evening? Okay. Public comment. This item is the appropriate place to make comments about an item not on the agenda but within the board's jurisdiction. Each action item on the agenda has its own public comment period. In order to protect individual rights or privacy and avoid comments that identify students or staff members, um, additionally, public comment cannot be used to make comments regarding contested cases, grievances, or late proceedings. Due to open meeting laws, the board cannot respond in any way to comments made during the public comment period. Is there any public comment this morning? Okay, >> we're just moving on then right into our discussion and action items. Um, we do have a
002trustee announcement this evening and that's me. >> I love it when you know you did help plan the >> Okay. Um, so I just a kind of a an update just from the the last board meeting that uh and I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget anything. Um based on board discussion received at the last board meeting, um the board will collaborate with human resources and administration to review and update extracurricular activity hiring procedures. This discussion will occur at a June work session and so we do encourage people to come. Um and I can't emphasize this next part enough. It must be done in a respectful dialogue by all participants. This initiative is focused solely on improving the processes by which we select both internal and external candidates for extracurricular roles. It is important
003to emphasize that this review is limited exclusively to extracurricular activities. Teacher contracts remain entirely separate and are not a part of this process at all. So those were just some um I think after the sessions with the board and admin and some you know thoughts going around and so plan on a June work session and we do encourage you know we want people's but that's really the the reason why we're here. So, um any other trusty announcements? Okay. Uh B would be assistant superintendent position and Sarah does that. >> Hi everyone. Um Sarah Crumb from HR here. So uh we talked in the meeting two weeks ago about the idea the possibility of an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. So this would be in lie of the current curriculum and instruction director role. Um
004and so um we took that draft job description that we had shared with you and we worked on it a bit more um including some of the things that we talked about as possibilities. And so I have um I have it here to just review with you uh answer any questions you have and allow you to decide uh what you would like to do for next steps. Um so the job would be the chief academic officer overseeing curriculum acting as the instructional leader for the district and also evaluating the principles for each of the three buildings. This position would be the direct supervisor of the building principles and the building principles would continue to be the supervisors or writing the evaluations for the assistant principles. that would be how the chain of command work. Um
005so you can see um the minimum qualifications there including a lensure requirements as with a teaching license, administrator license and then a superintendent certification or the eligibility to get one upon hire. Um it requires a master's degree. Uh we've asked for three years of experience minimum in school administration, three years of classroom teaching experience, and then experience leading curricular and instructional instructional initiatives at the building or district level and leading instructional improvement efforts. And then um skills, organizational management, strategic planning, written and oral communication, instructional technology, working effectively with various staff and stakeholders, um performing duties within awareness of district requirements and board policies, handling stressful situations, and maintaining confidentiality. Uh and then there's some additional preferred qualifications. So, how we look at this, if the position is um approved, minimum is what you have
006to have to even be considered. Preferred sort of rises you up in the rankings as we're looking at candidates. Um, and then the job descriptions are listed on pages two and three. So the supervision component I've already mentioned in addition to the building principles the position would evaluate the district wellness coordinator and the community education liaison. And those are currently positions which the curriculum director evaluates. Um and then instructional leadership and curriculum development. So curriculum alignment review and adoption strategic planning and innovation. I'm not going to read every bit. Um assessment and data literacy. So program administration, data integration and reporting. Um especially reporting um regular reports for the board about the status of program services and student achievement. So again, this is similar to what you've experienced with the curriculum director and uh some
007reporting that like what you'll receive in the work session tonight. and then professional development and coaching, staff growth, administrative coaching, instructional mentoring, as well as an orientation on boarding and mentoring component. So, we're working on a more holistic program across the district between HR, the student services director, and this position to ensure that our employees new and continuing have a way to be integrated with each other and the the priorities of the district. And then communication and liaison. So, stakeholder engagement, board relations, and emergency response coordinator. So this emergency response coordinator um is working with the building principles, administrators and directors on crisis management, safety and security, the quick response team and um information to the public on emergency matters. So this is actually kind of a hybrid of part of the duties that are
008currently under the curriculum director and partly the quick response team presently is led by the uh high school principal with the um it's a committee of people from across the district. And then um lastly the legal compliance and budgetary duties. So regulatory compliance, grant management, budget oversight, acting authority as we discussed. So assuming duties of the superintendent in their absence and also duties of building principles in their absence and then transportation coordinator. So this is also a role that is currently being um done with the uh curriculum director but in in conjunction with the middle school principal. So this is um working on the district's transportation program and then other duties as assigned by the superintendent. So when I asked Dave if there was anything that he would recommend that the assistant superintendent do, he
009got a big smile on his face, [laughter] but we just captured it like it. So, and then you can see the rest is rather standard language in terms of working conditions in terms of employment and evaluation. So, that's where we uh are but open to your questions um and any feedback or ideas that you I'm curious just because I'm not been educated in school education. Um, is three years really adequate classroom teaching for some of the student like this? I know you said the preferred is five. I just wondered how that was the scientific version recommended. >> Yeah. So, it's I think it's pretty standard the 3 to five range. Um, and you can see there's a lot of pieces to this, right? Because it's asking for school administration in addition to classroom teaching. Um,
010so yes, and like I said, the the minimum is what you need to have in order to even be considered and then preferred kind of moves you. So the more experience you have in these new areas makes you would rise to the top of the candidate pool to be considered further. >> Okay. Another question I have is it typical that the um assistant superintendent would be in charge of transportation and would be in charge of the QRT. Is that typical? >> Yeah, I think it's a duty that you can see. Um I think also for the size of our district when you think about the number of administrators we have and the the shared duties that are across them um this is a logical place for this to live because also being housed in the
011district as opposed to kind of an added duty of one of the building principles it it really helps with the Ross district. I just um since so much of our job is about budget here is uh the terms of employment it mentions a salary determined by the board of trust fees which really is a term for Lucy. [laughter] >> So maybe that's a question for Lucy as to if we have the budget for adding what we need to be competitive to hire. >> Yes. And we already talked about this website and uh the answer is yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. It looks like a really big assistance to the whole administrative and teaching team just late time. It's kind of like having an HR person to deal with HR things. So nice
012job. Um I'm curious about um I don't know I kind of with Randy the three years seems a little like to me especially in the classroom teaching if we're asking them to then but so do we need to put like a minimum three years I guess are all these things like and you know a minimum of three years of school administration and three years of classroom so each one of those needs to be checked off versus like we're going to get somebody's like well I have three years of administrative experience but only two years of classroom experience is that going to be okay I mean to me that does feel light for that position. I understand the minimum, not the, you know, preferred, but I would counter um or agree with Rainy that said it
013makes me a little bit curious. At the same time, we don't want to eliminate people who can be really good at a job because they jumped right into administration early in their career. So, I know it's a fine act of balancing act there. Um I don't know if I missed it or it's in here. Does it say anything or who's in charge of accreditation? I know right now a lot of Lisa helped with accreditation and her role is that under the superintendent or this assistant and curriculum director I guess where does that live and if accreditation is part of the job script we're going to expect does that need to be listed in here that means other duty says assigned [laughter] >> no I think it's in there somewhere >> I just the superintendent >>
014currently I work to complete that process but it falls into the super >> accreditation standard. So regulatory compliance I guess it lives underneath there that okay >> Montana and then so just to confirm Sarah when we like or maybe the police might need to answer this too in comparison of duties to what the curriculum director does now we're adding this extra we have a QRT transportation um some more and evaluation their principles. Um, other than that, is it pretty similar to what you're doing now? Okay, perfect. >> Acting superintendent and acting building principal. So, right now, acting superintendent sort of rotates amongst the administrators. It is something that the curriculum director does. Y >> um I don't think do you do I guess you could do acting principal? >> I have on occasion like with
015>> middle school goes on the history trip. Okay. I just wanted to make sure I just they're very similar, but they're enough different >> all that different. >> We really patterned it after we looked at the assistant superintendent roles in Callisville. >> Okay, Jerry, that's where that transportation piece came from. >> Okay. >> Thank you for any other question. >> Uh is there any public comment on this agenda? Sorry if I speak fast. I know I'm on a >> Yeah, it hasn't started yet, but you can introduce yourself would be great. >> Okay, thank you um for hearing me tonight. My name is Demi Sullivan. I am a Bulldog alumni, a lifelong member of the Whitefish community, and I currently serve as a teacher in the district. Thanks. Um, at the last public board meeting,
016I listened closely as Miss Crumb presented her proposal for an assistant superintendent position, and I'd like to address just three points from that discussion. Uh, first, regarding the timeline, Miss Crumb suggested moving forward as quickly as possible. I would urge the board to do the opposite. Um, this district has experienced an unprecedented amount of change this year. major staff turnover, an interim superintendent after a failed hiring process, shifts in administration, and significant movement from across the district. If anything, this is a moment to slow down, evaluate where we are, and ask whether rushing major decisions has truly served us well. Second, Miss Crumb mentioned districts like Missoula and Callispel, but this comparison leaves out critical context. Those districts operate with broader administrative structures and far more support staff. Their systems include multiple specialized leadership roles
017such as director of academics, community services, and professional development specialists alongside more than one assistant superintendent in many cases. Those are not equivalent models. Trying to consolidate that level of support into a single position oversimplifies the realities of what a district requires to function effectively. Third, we heard from Miss Crumb about the importance of developing leadership from within. This is a goal I strongly support. However, the proposed position would not meaningfully expand those opportunities. Our district already has many qualified individuals who could step into the roles like director of curriculum while only a very limited, if any, number of current staff who would meet the qualifications for this proposed role. In practice, this position narrows, not broadens, the pathway for internal leadership growth. I urge the board to pause, give this district time to stabilize,
018and revisit this conversation once the challenges of this school year have settled. Thoughtful leadership requires timing, perspective, and a willingness to build with intention and not urgency. Thank you. Hey, I'm Jen Watson. I teach at Moldown. I've talked broadly at Moldown. Um, currently my role is intervention specialist there. So, trying to keep it under two minutes. So, I'm going to read back. It's okay. >> That's okay. I'm expressing concerns regarding a consolidated position encompassing the duties of assistant superintendent, curriculum director, and instructional coaching. This decision feels both hurried and disconnected from the current realities of our schools. The data used to justify this role also appears to be flawed. The district cited as comparison are larger. Those districts maintain dedicated instructional coaches rather than a hybrid administrative model. The district has frequently stated a priority
019for hiring from within. However, the creation of this role contradicts that goal. By bundling three highlevel skill sets into one job, the district has created a position that no employee or district of our district is qualified to hold. Furthermore, while we struggle to find success with external recruitment, we are failing to provide the professional development or internal pathways necessary for our own teachers and staff to become qualified for such leadership roles. We cannot claim to prioritize internal talent while simultaneously creating barriers to their advancement. One of the most concerning aspects of this role is the inherent conflict between the duties of an assistant superintendent and an instructional coach. Effective coaching requires a safe space where teachers, especially those new to the profession, can be vulnerable, admit mistakes, and seek growth. A teacher is unlikely to
020be open to their struggles with someone who holds the power of evaluation. For years, our elementary staff has advocated for instructional coaches to support classroom excellence. The district has not supported this model. To now introduce an administrative version of that role without considering staff input feels dismissive of our educators professional expertise. I urge the board to pause this decision and consider the following. Revise the recommended qualifications to insert ensure they are inclusive of our current staff. If we truly value internal promotion, we must create leadership pathways that allow our own educators to grow into these roles rather than being disqualified by arbitrary barriers. Second, we must re-evaluate the logic of hiring an administrative level coach of coaches before we have established a functional coaching model in our schools. Adding oversight for a program that does
021not yet exist ignores the immediate needs of our students and teachers. Our priority should always be students. I look forward to hearing how the board intends to ensure that any new position directly translate to student success rather than simply expanding the administrative hierarchy. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments back to the board for further discussion? Um yeah, actually one of the things I jotted down as we were as Sarah was talking um was one of the things I really like about this job description is that the curriculum director or excuse me the assistant superintendent would be the evaluator of principles because if we go back to our policies which is 6210 is the principles and the primary responsibility is the principles the development and improvement of instruction. So to have somebody who's also a
022curriculum director or curriculum with instruction being in charge of the principles to help lead and make sure that that instruction is happening when that's our primary um goal in our policy or primary their primary job is how it's listed. So, I actually think that's really smart that that was developed that way with parents and thank you for that because I think it fits really well with um if you have somebody who's good at curriculum and they should be the ones overseeing the principles because their primary job in the building is to oversee curriculum. I also like that currently sometimes what happens is our current position as a curriculum director doesn't really have the authority in the classroom or in the buildings. And so if something is seen, there's no authority to say anything. And giving
023them a position of assistant superintendent would give them more of a back and forth with the teacher and staff. And so that way they could say this, I saw this. This could be worked on. Um so I like the um the change honestly as far as being able to say that they're more in a director leadership role that needs to be taken seriously inside the building by by all the staff and not just grown out with bath water if you choose not to listen to it. I did have a question about timeline um because that wasn't something that I remembered from the draft when we discussed it last time and then I had that as a question on this but I was going to do it in our discussion time anyway. It was given that
024Lisa is taking on the intermant it currently will as of July 1st will be vacant anyway. So, I wasn't sure when that goal was to fill that like was if we're trying to like swap them out right away, July 1 or is this something that we're or is there like other things a season that you hire things for? Like it's very confusing to me. Again, like Randy said, not being in education like would there be an opportunity to get like focus groups from each building or something along those lines to offer input as to what they would like out of this position or have that? Like I just curious like what >> do you mind >> if the floor is open to her know those answers? Yeah. >> That be okay. >> Yeah. If Lisa
025or if Sarah or Lisa it's fine. >> Um right now I'm still doing my current job and transitioning into Paige's job. Right. >> So I'm doing two things. My contract is a 212 day contract. So that means I work two weeks after the last day of school. >> Okay? >> And then I work come back to work two weeks before the new school year. >> Okay? >> I you'll need to talk with Sarah about it. She she knows the detail much more, but she has uh the process lined out to fulfill this position before school gets out because potentially if we have an internal candidate there h there's a real domino effect and so we can't wait because if there's a domino effect we don't know how much that's going to domino um what was
026the other thing I was going to say about that oh and I do believe and Lucy can correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe for the next school year this assistant Superintendent would be a 212 day contract. >> Yes. >> That's what we can afford. >> What is your contract name? >> 26. >> The other point I was wondering about is if we do not fulfill it, we're looking at having another um a new math program next year. And if there's no one to guide that, that's going to be a real problem. I don't think we can wait until school starts, >> right? >> I mean, that person needs to be up to speed on what the math program is and how they're going to help the teachers know what to do. So,
027I don't think it's realistic to put it off. >> Um, could it be a pilot project for a year? you know. >> Well, the difference the only I mean as we talked about I guess I would say the changes to what Lisa is currently doing or the current curriculum director is doing is evaluating the principles >> QRT transportation and um this and stepping in for the current superintendent. So >> filling the same role. So I don't I don't think it's really a pilot program. We're actually giving this person more responsibility to allow, I would say, our building principles to have more time to be present in their buildings by taking away transportation and QRT from them and putting it on somebody in the district. And I feel like in the past we've some of those
028duties have gotten spread because there's nobody else to take them, >> right? >> So, this is a way to kind of actually I would say help out our building administration. Um, they can be more present for teachers and for students. That's how I see them. >> Well, and I also see that it's taken away some of the duties superintendent and we've all discussed that he has on has big very big role and um that's that's very difficult. I don't think he ever goes home. I think he sleeps >> some of the questions too. I think that my opinion I think this very well thought out. I think it's it's it's comprehensive some curriculum instruction but it's also caring on some of those responsibilities that are uh some of our principles are taking on now and
029I think this will help alleviate some of that. I think it's wellcraftrafted, welldesigned job description, a good idea of the district. >> What would be the difference in qualifications between like this assistant superintendent and a curriculum director? I mean, would we be looking at different >> as an assistant superintendent? You need a superintendent endorsement. >> Okay. But you can do that while you after you got the job. >> You could be working on your while employing. to apply. >> You don't need it to apply. >> You have to be eligible. >> You'll be eligible for >> enrolled in as a superintendent during >> while you were in >> right while you were but you can work on your lensure as you're working in the assistant >> the superintendent. >> Oh yeah. you would have to
030have your administrator or principal person in place. >> Okay. >> Ironically, a while back, couple week three weeks ago, um Dave showed me a little blurp in the White Fish pilot that in Whitefish School District's history, we used to have an assistant superintendent. >> That is exactly what I was going to say. We had for many years an assistant superintendent when we had fewer students than we have now. Um it granted it was quite some time ago but um I taught with an assistance so this is nothing new to white fish. Yeah I don't think we can keep asking one or two people to keep adding more and more responsibility to their place without trying to disperse a little bit. So I think that's great >> and I mean I think the the biggest issue
031and again I not knowing the you know qualifications of how necessarily it works. I think right now we have really good administrators who have taken on like Carrie with the QRT and Josh doing transportation and essentially and I'm finding more and more as I'm on the board that we are spread really thin and different people have different jobs and it gets really confusing and you have people who do a really good job right now but if it all changed tomorrow what would that look like for us and I think that it it would be I that's absolute. It could be disastrous if we didn't, you know, have the people we have in place currently. And so I think I I'm finding that one of the big roles I have as a board member is setting
032up the district for not a catastrophe that could happen in the future if you don't have the right people in place. And that's a really hard thing because I totally hear what everybody's saying. and again a hometown kid, you know, wanting the idea of having hometown people moving up through a leadership. But I also look at how we have it set up now. And I I just think it it terrifies me a little bit because I don't think it's sustainable because if something if we had a lot of change like we've seen in the last year in some of these other positions, it would have it I think it could have been uh really difficult as far as and really important things like our safety in schools. And so I I just don't see that
033unfort I just don't see the way we're doing it now as being really sustainable. And so that's why I support it is I think we have to have one person in charge of these things who's trained to do these things because right now it's just a bunch of different people doing it and it gets it's really hard for me to follow. Um but I really appreciate the the idea of how it it potentially limits that ability to move within and and I feel that. Is there any way to like um in other job descriptions it'll say like years experience in blank or work type experience. So maybe that a teacher might have 20 years of teaching experience and had headed committees as a teacher. that kind of help qualify that Sarah. So that is kind
034of a question I guess. >> Um yeah, you can do that. Sometimes you can you can use sometimes you see experience in lie of education. Um I suppose you could also have kind of one thing in lie of another. I think where this is maybe different is you have kind of a broad swath of requirements, right? Because we're looking for school administration, classroom teaching, and then also instructional um activities. Um, but it's something you can think about. I did just want to say to the existing curriculum director position in terms of the minimum qualifications is again the educational leadership advanced degree, Montana teaching license, and school administrator license. So those things are the same and three years of classroom teaching experience. So what we've added with this is the administration experience. Um and that's a
035preferred qualification. Um I'm the current curriculum director. >> Thanks. I appreciate that. It's just good to know. Oh yes to have the comparison. Um >> is 200 I know part of this is a budget thing but is 212 days enough to get all this work done >> I think that number could be looked at >> looked at but >> a little bit >> yeah not all the way to 60 that's okay I just wasn't make sure we're setting whoever's up for success with the amount of dates that they work you know >> because it is there's a lot there, right? We're asking for a lot in positions, which we ask for a lot, I guess. >> Um, yeah, I I do I would just like to say as someone who is also works in a
036job where you can have a lot of experience because there just not a lot of movement above you, so your opportunity to get admin experience in your district because it's locked up makes it inherently challenging. Um, how do you get admin experience if no one at admin poofs, right? Um, I hear what you're saying, >> but I certainly would hope that if we have people in the district who are curriculum assessment and already have their administrative certificate that they would apply and then go ahead and work on the um superintendent. >> But is this saying that if someone doesn't have three years of experience as an admin, they cancel? >> Correct. That's what >> because then they can't apply for the superintendent certificate. three years. So it's so even if we put this off until
037next year, >> it probably would not I mean you'd have to put it off for a good number of years I think before that and that would leave us with the problem, >> right? >> So realistically >> I just think right now we have great people in place to manage a lot of it. But I don't >> Yeah, the question is if we didn't get it I think >> so but say an assistant principal wanted to apply to this position >> they would have that >> yesition qualifications if they had the administrative certificate they could Any other discussion or a motion? >> I move we approve the um job position as I'll second. That is moved by Darcy, seconded by Jerry. All those in favor? Okay, we will move on to uh item C which
038is the personal recommendations for items with Mr. So um for in front of you um through our HR process administration recommend approval of that list pull that up here see it list of positions as you know we've been hiring different positions um district and most there's one for M elementary teacher recommended music teacher another elementary teacher elementary daughter. So um and you can see the number of people on those interview teams and recommendation hire and then sign WHS science teacher elementary teacher Wets cross country coach and WHS track and field assistant coach. Any questions? >> I do because there's so many well down and that's you know what they were referencing is I'm not sure if this is I don't I don't know how this always works. Um when you interview then do you like
039are you interviewing for I'm interviewing for a second grade position or is it like I'm interviewing for K through four like and then they get assigned. >> Pretty sure and this is the AC you were interviewing for multiple. So if you were an interviewee, you just came in said I could be placed into the register. >> Yes. And so then we I think those final placements have still remain >> they figure it out. Just curious about that. Do they ever say I really hope you cop this right? >> [laughter] >> I was just curious. >> We'll show you how much money you >> Any other any other questions? >> Is there any public uh comments on this title? Back to the board for further discussion or a motion. >> Um I just want to say
040we had 28 applicants and we had 13. That's a great pool. I mean, that's like, >> you know, so yay, multi 20 applicates for a science. >> Looks like we're getting um or enough and looks like pretty good quality, too. So, um I just have one more. So were the 13 number of finalists. They were all the same for each >> um I move we approve moved by Darcy, seconded by Quincy. All in favor? I will be ajourned. I second that is by Darcy and seconded by Quincy. All in favor?