Zorn a finalist for Washington job

Kalispell Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Dan Zorn is one of three finalists for a superintendent position in Washington.

Zorn is scheduled to interview Feb. 2 for the superintendent position at Longview School District in Longview, Washington.

Zorn has been assistant superintendent in Kalispell for 16 years. 

He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Montana.

With his youngest son, Stephen, currently a senior at Flathead High School, Zorn determined the timing was right to make the next step in his career.

“My wife and I talked about it for quite some time,” Zorn said. 

Zorn said he is being selective about the positions he looks into and said Longview is the only position for which he has applied.

“I’m being pretty picky. I love what I’m doing [and] I love where I’m doing it,” Zorn said.

Longview School District is similar in enrollment size and student makeup to Kalispell Public Schools. Longview has an enrollment of approximately 6,522 students; Kalispell has 5,806.

Zorn said he spent time over the summer in Longview “to get a feel for the area.”

“I’m looking at what would be a good fit,” Zorn said. “I feel like Longview would be a great fit.”

If the Longview School Board ultimately selects Zorn, he will finish the year at Kalispell Public Schools. Zorn has notified Kalispell trustees and administration about his intentions.

The other two candidates for the Longview School District superintendent position are Michelle Curry, superintendent of Orting School District in Washington; and Mervin Daugherty, superintendent of Red Clay Consolidated School District in Delaware. 

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.