School head steps down

POLSON — Three weeks after he alleged discrimination against him by school board members, Polson School Superintendent David Whitesell is receiving a $120,000 settlement and stepping down from the post.

The Polson school board on Wednesday unanimously ratified an agreement with Whitesell that terminated his 26-month tenure as superintendent and resolved several legal issues.

Whitesell will receive $120,000 for alleged emotional distress stemming from his human rights claim against the school board. On Feb. 24, Whitesell filed a complaint saying he has been discriminated against because he is American Indian.

Whitesell had claimed he was subjected to a racially hostile work environment.

He alleged that on two separate occasions, board member Nancy Lindsey made disparaging racial remarks toward and in front of Whitesell. His complaint also cited a police investigation requested by a board member based on alleged lost documents.

Part of the termination agreement called for trustee Robert Ricketts to withdraw his request for a Polson Police Department investigation regarding a lost document that was supposed to be entered into the minutes at the October school board meeting. Ricketts, at Monday’s meeting, did withdraw that request.

Whitesell also alleged that the district has neglected to follow policy when issuing performance evaluations, using the process against him in a punitive fashion, and that former superintendents were not treated similarly.

In his comments Tuesday morning, Whitesell wished the district the best moving forward.

“I would just like to thank the great kids, parents and staff whom I had the opportunity to work,” he said. “I hope the best for Polson schools.”

Curriculum Director Bill Appleton will serve as the district’s interim superintendent as the board seeks a replacement administrator.

The last several months have been turbulent for both Whitesell and the school board. Tempers have flared, claims have been filed and dysfunction has grown to the point where one veteran trustee, Theresa Taylor, resigned her position in February.

Two major recent points of contention involved letter exchanges between Whitesell and board chairwoman Caryl Cox, as well as Whitesell and the Lake County treasurer.

Whitesell alleged that the county treasurer had illegally floated the district’s money with other districts to cover payroll last summer.

Lake County demanded an apology, and Whitesell responded that he was preparing documents that backed up his statement.

Whitesell and Cox had a letter exchange in which Whitesell claimed Cox had overstepped her authority. Cox then sent Whitesell’s letter to board attorney Michael Dahlem to provide a legal opinion regarding Whitesell’s allegations.

Whitesell has until March 19 to rescind his approval of the agreement if he wishes.