Whitefish students fight for principles, save principal's job

The emotional Whitefish School Board meeting on Monday was as much about the students as it was about deciding the job status of Principal Dave Carlson.

More than 100 high school students turned out to protest a recommendation from Superintendent Kate Orozco not to renew Carlson’s contract.

The students fought for their principal and their principles, and won.

In the face of massive opposition, Orozco withdrew her recommendation and the board voted to retain Carlson. Board members Shawn Watts and Heather Vrentas voted against the motion to renew Carlson’s contract.

Students had a well-orchestrated effort to show their support for their beloved principal.

It began with a sit-in on Monday morning at the school and continued prior to the board meeting with a street rally. Many teens held signs saying “Honk 4 Carlson,” “Save Mr. Carlson” and “Mr. Carlson is the bomb.”

Several students skipped their National Honor Society awards ceremony and attended the board meeting in a show of solidarity for Carlson.

One after another, students stepped up to the lectern to share personal stories of how Carlson had connected with them, helped them solve problems and cared for them during their toughest times.

Maxl Smith told the crowd how Carlson was one of the first people to reach out to his family two years ago following a family tragedy.

“He’s provided an open door, and in my case a set of arms to fall into when the world turned upside down,” Smith said.

Andrea Lamoreaux noted how Carlson quelled her fears and put her at ease during freshman orientation.

“We know we’re very important to him,” she said.

Emily Anywaush confided about her drug addiction that required treatment at the Rimrock Foundation in Billings.

“I wouldn’t be clean and sober today without him,” she said.

Spencer Hale, the student body representative on the school board, told how Carlson and Activities Director Jackie Fuller are an effective administrative team.

“The students would be deeply disheartened if they don’t have Mr. Carlson,” Hale said.

Several students said Carlson goes out of his way to make a personal connection with students.

“He always has time to listen to students,” Bobby Hensley said. “He’ll help you through the hardest times.”

Student body president Joseph Perry delivered a petition with more than 300 signatures in support of retaining Carlson. Perry praised Carlson’s dedication to the students and shared Carlson’s dreams of stepping up academic goals that would include one day having Whitefish students doing research projects.

Perry was brought to tears as he told the audience how Carlson had apologized to him about being preoccupied recently with his potential ouster.

“I talked to him about it,” he said. “He told me, ‘I’m sorry my life has gotten in the way of your future.’”

Parents had equally poignant stories about how Carlson had helped them with difficult situations involving their children.

Several people pointed out how Carlson had turned the tide at the high school, re-establishing respect for the high school in the community. In some cases, students remained at Whitefish instead of transferring to Glacier High School in Kalispell.

There was frustration among parents and students that no reason was given publicly for Orozco’s recommendation to oust Carlson. The board maintained it is bound by confidentiality laws that don’t allow public discussion about personnel issues.

Diane Smith, a mother and attorney, steered around the confidentiality barrier by addressing Carlson personally during the meeting.

“The mom in me is a little alarmed. Have you been informed of anything in the past year he’s done wrong?” Smith asked the board.

When board members declined to answer, she directly asked Carlson four questions:

“Have you been put on probation?

“Have you been accused of assault, in writing?

“Have you been accused of inappropriate touching?

“Have you been accused of embezzlement?”

Carlson answered “no” to all four questions.

Smith said with all the “innuendoes being thrown about” as to what precipitated the recommendation to remove Carlson, the community expected the board give some explanation ask to why the principal should be ousted.

Benny Bee Jr. agreed, imploring the board to “make sure we have all the facts and that this isn’t a witch hunt.”

Still, board members remained silent.

Carlson was the first person to address the board.

He methodically went through the checklist of objectives he was given when he was hired in 2009, and said he had accomplished everything that was asked of him.

Those directives included helping get the $14 million bond for the new high school passed and setting and staying within the budget.

“When I arrived at Whitefish High School the building was staffed for a student population of 750 while our actual enrollment was 500,” Carlson said. “As a result I have had to reduce the budget significantly by reducing staff, restructuring classes and creating better efficiency, all without compromising quality.”

All eyes were on Orozco as she addressed the audience.

“I can’t imagine a more difficult time and set of circumstances,” she said following two hours of public comment. “Your support of Mrs. Carlson speaks volumes. We know the relationships between the administration and students have become positive and student-centered.”

Orozco said several kernels of misinformation — such as an accusation that the school board had “buckled” because of pressure from the teacher’s union — had been circulating within the school and community.

She alluded to “issues” among the administration and teachers but offered no clear explanation about why she wanted Carlson removed.

“I can’t stand here and say I’m willing to ignore the voice of our kids,” she continued. “I can ignore misinformation.”

In reversing her recommendation not to renew Carlson’s contract and instead give him tenure, she said she hoped they could work together.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.