Search begins for school leader

Following the resignation of Kalispell Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Dan Zorn, the district has outlined a tentative timeline to fill the position.

Zorn accepted a superintendent position at Longview School District in Washington. He will complete the school year in Kalispell through June 30. Zorn has been assistant superintendent in Kalispell for 16 years.

Zorn’s position is expected to be posted today and applications will close April 6. Applicants will be screened April 6-10 and candidate interviews may be scheduled April 14-17. The district could select and offer the position to a candidate by April 21.

The process may wrap up by April 28 following board approval and contract negotiations.

The school board discussed at a Tuesday meeting whether to post the position under the title of assistant superintendent or as a director of curriculum and instruction. Ultimately all but two trustees favored continuing with the assistant superintendent position, citing it would attract a larger pool of experienced applicants.

A director of curriculum and instruction position would have less oversight and a narrower scope of responsibilities, Superintendent Mark Flatau said. The salary would be a negligible difference that the district would not benefit from as much as continuing the broader responsibilities an assistant superintendent provides, Flatau said.

Trustees considered spreadsheet comparisons of salary and job titles in other Northwest Montana school districts. An assistant superintendent salary is likely to fall in the $105,000 to $110,000 range while a director of curriculum and instruction salary would be paid $100,000 to $105,000.

Trustees also looked at a list of responsibilities and duties Zorn has overseen in the district, which primarily entail curriculum and instruction. Trustee Tom Clark leaned toward a director position and redistributing non-curriculur responsibilities to administrative staff.  

Beth Kornick, assistant to the superintendent, said having the ability to direct staff and the public to either administrator when one wasn’t available is of great benefit in regard to timeliness and availability.

Trustee Jack Fallon said the matter needed to be analyzed more.

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