Whitefish school superintendent announces job search

Whitefish School District Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt is seeking a new position due to a change in her family circumstances.

“Leaving Whitefish is a difficult decision because I love my job and the students, staff, families and community of Whitefish. My personal family situation has changed significantly over the last 18 months, in positive ways that my husband and I never anticipated,” Davis Schmidt said.

She recently let the school board know of her intention.

“I have not resigned my position as superintendent of Whitefish Schools, however, I have let the Whitefish School District board of trustees, and the staff and community of Whitefish know that I am seeking employment back in the Missoula area. Because I value integrity and straight-forwardness, I did not want people in Whitefish to hear from someone or somewhere else that I applied for a job elsewhere,” she added.

Davis Schmidt joined the school district in 2015 from a previous position as a Missoula County Public Schools executive regional director. Her current contract goes until 2021. If she is offered a job before her contract ends she will need to request the board release her from the contract. If a job offer came in the middle of the school year, Davis Schmidt said she would stay on to complete the school year.

In the meantime, she is focused on the job at hand.

“I fulfill my leadership role and job duties with great pride, integrity, and a belief in all children. I truly believe in the ability of every child to meet and exceed high expectations for learning and I commit myself to this belief with everything that I do. All children deserve to be treated with dignity, while also receiving a rigorous, quality education that prepares them for college, career, and engagement in our global society,” she said.

And those efforts aren’t carried out alone.

“When caring teachers, support staff, administrators, parents, families, peers, and the community come together, support one another, and help each student develop confidence and a growth mindset, we ensure the success of every child and the success of our whole community.

“I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities through the remainder of my time in Whitefish Schools with these values as my foundation,” she said.

The announcement comes at a time when the district is building a new school to replace Muldown Elementary.

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