Schottle one of 2 finalists

Kalispell Schools superintendent interviews today for Spokane job

Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Darlene Schottle is one of two finalists for a school superintendent job in Spokane.

Schottle, who has been Kalispell's superintendent for five years, was named one of the top two candidates for Spokane Public Schools superintendent March 3.

The other is Interim Superintendent Nancy Stowell, who has been with the Spokane district for more than 30 years, Schottle said.

Stowell has served as interim superintendent since the former superintendent's retirement last year, Schottle said.

They will interview for the position today. Schottle said she isn't certain when she'll hear whether she has been hired.

"Probably within a week," she said. "It's a very tight time frame, which is good."

Illinois-based Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, the search firm hired to find candidates for the superintendent position, approached Schottle about the job.

"They thought it might be a good match," she said.

Schottle, whose contract with Kalispell Public Schools was extended through June 30, 2011, at a special board meeting in January, said she wasn't searching for a job when the firm asked her to apply in February. The position appealed to her for a number of professional and personal reasons, she said.

"There are interesting new challenges in a school district that is proud of its community and its children," she said. "It possibly might be a good match for me."

The district is looking at a budget realignment, considering student growth and achievement areas and may create smaller learning communities within its high schools, she said. It also has a population of English-language learners, a group Schottle was involved with as superintendent in Reno, Nev., before moving to Kalispell.

Spokane Public Schools is five times larger than the Kalispell district, which has 5,200 students. Schottle oversaw 62,000 students in Reno.

Spokane also is more centrally located as far as her family is concerned, she said. She has family in Oregon and British Columbia.

Schottle told the Kalispell board of trustees March 3 that she was being considered for the Spokane job, board Vice Chairwoman Eve Dixon said.

"We're all very mixed about it," she said. "We hate to see her go, especially right now when there is so much work left to be done in the district, but we also understand what an opportunity this might be for her."

Schottle said she has the same mixed feelings.

"We get along very well as a team," she said of the school board. "They always would wish me the best opportunity, but they would be every bit as happy if I stayed."

The board hasn't discussed what it will do if Schottle is hired, Dixon said.

Their first step would be contacting the Montana School Boards Association to find out what their options are, she said. The organization might know someone willing to serve as interim superintendent.

"We'll cross that bridge when we find out if we need to," she said.

Schottle said she considers this a "win-win situation."

"It's a large school system, and I would be able to provide my guidance for another district," she said. "But there are lots of things that need to be completed here.

"For me, either way this turns out, I'm going to be a very lucky person."

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.