Barbecue to welcome Whitefish principal

The Daily Inter Lake

Whitefish students,families and community members are invited to meet new high school Principal Dave Carlson and his wife, Lisa, on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Whitefish High School.

PAWS (Positive Alliance for Whitefish Schools' and the Whitefish PTA are providing a community barbecue with live music by Jeff Arcel and Nikki Deneui on the Whitefish High School lawn.

Burgers (including veggie), set-ups and beverages will be provided. Community members are asked to bring dishes for the potluck meet-and-greet.

Carlson replaces Kent Paulson, who retired. Carlson was the director of theLearning Alternative School in Springs Lake Park, Minn.

Carlson became an educator 14 years ago after changing careers at age 40, according to a press release from Whitefish Superintendent Jerry House. Prior to teaching, Carlson spent 23 years in the propane and gas supply business.

In addition to more than a decade as a teacher and administrator, Carlson has nine years' experience as a trustee for a foundation that organizes and implements fundraisers supporting excellence in education.

Carlson was hired for his experience with secondary alternative education, focusing on individualized learning, implementing professional teacher communities, assessing student accomplishments, and facilitating and expecting high-quality improvements, according to House.

Carlson also has knowledge of 21st-century learning skills and developed and implemented a school-within-a-school program called Program for Success.

Together, these things "clearly made the decision easy to identify … Carlson as the candidate of choice," House said.

Carlson was selected from 12 applicants from Montana, Idaho, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington and Ohio.