Deadline extended for superintendent search
Kalispell Public Schools has extended its superintendent search timeline to Feb. 20 in hopes of getting a larger pool of applicants.
The position posted on Nov. 18 and the district received five applications by the initial Jan. 17 deadline.
Trustees previously had debated when to post and close the position in September when they hired Montana School Boards Association to conduct the superintendent search. At the time, Debra Silk of Montana School Boards Association suggested posting in December or January.
“You may be thinking, why did we not get a larger pool?” Silk said during a Jan. 28 board meeting where trustees discussed the next step to take in the search process. “There’s no rhyme or reason sometimes as to why we get a larger pool or a smaller pool. One thing you want to concentrate on is the quality of the pool of candidates you have or the lack thereof.”
Silk asked trustees if they were interested in getting to know any of the applicants more, or taking a different direction such as reopening the position.
In looking at the applications received, trustee Amy Waller had concerns with the difference between the size of Kalispell Public Schools and the districts with which applicants have current or past experience. Kalispell Public Schools in a K-12 district with an enrollment of about 6,000 students and a staff of 750. Trustee Sue Corrigan voiced concerns with some applicants’ strategic planning experience and one applicant’s communication skills.
Board members sought input from trustee Jack Fallon, who served on the board during past superintendent searches.
“I’ve been involved in four superintendent searches and one of them had [resulted in] interims,” Fallon said. “To me, I’d like to see some exploration about what other things can be done. In my mind I’m not comfortable with the pool when I look back at what’s been presented in the past.”
Trustee Mike Merchant said he also was not comfortable with the present pool and was on the same page with Fallon when it came to extending the timeline to Feb. 20.
The superintendent position is being posted at an annual salary range of $150,000 to $165,000 plus benefits, dependent on experience. When looking at the salary range, Silk said for Class AA superintendents in Montana, $162,000 is the median and $165,000 the average.
“I don’t know if it impacted the pool or not,” Silk said about the salary range, but noted she didn’t think it did based on recent superintendent searches the association conducted.
Current Superintendent Mark Flatau is retiring; his last day is June 30.
In the search when Flatau was hired, the district received nine applications. From those applications, the district narrowed it down to five candidates who were interviewed. Flatau joined Kalispell from a Washington school district with an enrollment of 950 students and a staff of about 116. Montana School Boards Association also assisted in conducting that search.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.