001Okay, >> we are calling this April Fool's Day, no this April 1st of 2026 special meeting to order. Um, is there any revision to the agenda this evening? >> Uh, see public comment. This 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. Is there any public comment this evening? So we will move on to our discussion and action items. Um starting with A which is interum superintendent discussion and possible action. Uh so that is with me. Um after and I think it was the articles in the newspaper and all over the news that uh we had a failed contract negotiation with Dr. Jenny B. Um and I think I said it in my
002statement but also will say it was 100% um I believe uh the our district could not have been more clear about what we could offer and uh from the and I actually having the conversation with our search firm they were 100% clear and in conversations with Dr. Fee she said they were 100% clear. Um so I don't you know you hindsight of you know getting yourself in this position it like second or third time but um but we are fortunate in the sense that we have some wonderful people within our district um and so after a lot of discussion and and um we have decided that we would like to very happily u uh have Lisa Bloom potentially stepped into that position and would like to enter contract negotiations with her on that. Um, and
003so I will ask if there's any clarifying questions within any of us. Is there any public comment on this? Um I would I'm curious if there will be a process similar to the other candidates um where the public can also engage with Miss Bloom teachers um other staff members like we did our three candidates that you interviewed >> as far as like uh having I don't foresee that happening in this >> that's just been a question I've been asked frequently this week. I think that is uh within where we're at in a process. I foresee that that happening. Is there any other public back to the board for further discussion or a motion? >> I think a um I think a big difference is that this is an interim position as opposed to hiring for
004perpetuity, >> right? a superintendent. And I think like you just said, Elizabeth, we are so fortunate that we do have excellent leadership across our district. And um this is the second time this is happen to us. With the housing crisis being what they are, the cost of living being what it is, it is very difficult to find somebody from outside to come in. And we're fortunate that we have great people here. So, I personally feel really confident about Lisa's skills and abilities in addition to feeling really confident about the team around her. I think that the people in this room and not in this room genuinely are so invested in the success of this district and much like I think when Dave stepped into it, it's a team. It's Lisa and it's a whole team
005of people who put kids first and are committed to our district. So, I feel confident about this, grateful to everybody here for supporting Lisa, but overall supporting all of our children. I would second everything that Katie just said. I would also add um I think Lisa brings a great depth of experience and a lot of the things that we were looking for and a lot of things the community said they wanted. She was a teacher which was really important. She also was the pre union of president of union which I think also gives her a lot of um just clarity when we go into negotiations if we need to do anything and working with the union. She's been on that side of things. Obviously for curriculum experience was also something that was very important. Being
006an instructional leader was one of the top um marks for what we were looking for in our next superintendent and Lisa obviously comes with those skills. And additionally the district office experience which is one of the things that was hard for some of the other candidates. they didn't have district office experience, but it was very evident during their interview process. And it's an invaluable piece of the process of knowing how to think not just about one building, but about the umbrella of the entire district. And so I think Lisa is a great candidate to help continue to lead us. And I don't think it's just, you know, she's been on with Dave and she knows and she's worked closely with Dave, she works closely with all the administration. And so I think it's going to
007be a great fit and I'm very thankful that you're willing to step in and do this. I'm sure it was a big discussion in your house. So thank you. It definitely wasn't easy. When I first talked to Lisa just about this scenario, um you get a sense of how people, you know, when the things someone says in response in a reactive way and um I think one of the biggest things she said was I want I need and want the support of other you know I we're a team and so this has to be a team process and I think that really stuck. um the fact again that this is an interim position where it isn't um you know the plan is we do open the position again next year and have the have a
008process where but and then I think the big thing too is the timeline is like I really think we want to get her in with Dave and start this process of the transition. Um, and so those are some big things, but I didn't in my discussions with Lisa, she had all the answers you'd hope someone would have when you offer them um something like this. And so it was refreshing from my end. >> Yeah, I'll go ahead. I move we approve the um interim superintendent position to Alisa. I'll second it. and pending contract. Thank you. >> All those in favor. >> Here we go again. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Lisa. >> Thank you. >> Can I share something before we move on? >> I think so. >> Yes. Janice is yes. >> Members of
009the board, thank you for this opportunity. Having served the Whitefish School District for the past 32 years, including 27 years as as a teacher at Moldown, a term as the Whitefish Education Association President, and the last five years as the director of curriculum assessment and professional development. I'm honored to serve as the interim superintendent for the 2627 school year only. Our greatest resource is our people from maintenance and food services to support personnel, coaches, educators, and administrators. I'm proud to be a member of such a dedicated team. My primary goal for the coming school year is to ensure our staff and families continue to feel supported through clear communication and consistent systems. Our students remain our top priority. I want to thank Dave Means for his guidance. We've been a strong team in the district
010office and I've learned a great deal under his leadership. I also want to express my gratitude to the administrative team for their support. I wouldn't be here without them. Next year, I'm committed to letting my actions demonstrate my dedication to this district as I prepare to transition leadership to the next superintendent. I appreciate your support and look forward to our continued collaboration. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. So, I'll move it to D, which is our recommendations for hire with Mr. We have a few positions for recommendation for hire for uh HR process. We recommend approval on the following positions. >> That's fancy. Split screen in it. >> Yeah, there we go. Okay. So, uh we have a position of a mult playground supervisor position. See the name of the recommendation for hire there.
011And then we also HS English long-term substitute. Again, your condition for hire listed there is one question. >> Um, for the playground supervisor, that's just supervising the playground, not the supervisor of the playground personnel. >> Correct. >> Okay. I was just curious. I'm I was just excited that there were four candidates or four applicants. That's a good number of supervising. Oh, that's Yeah, that's that's great. Awesome. Thanks. You have questions on it. Is there any public comment on this? Back to the board for further discussion or a motion. I move we accept the applicants as presented. I'll second that. So move by Jerry, second by Darcy. All in favor? >> Okay, I move the second by Darcy, second by Katie. All in favor 12 minutes.