Finalists named for Whitefish superintendent vacancy
The Whitefish School Board has selected four finalists to be interviewed for the superintendent of schools position. The successful candidates came from an initial pool of 39 candidates from across the United States and were evaluated and screened based on experience and background, according to a press release.
Donavan DeBoer is currently the superintendent at Parker School District in Parker, South Dakota. This is a K-12 district with an enrollment of 480 students. He has been the superintendent for six years.
Lance Pearson is currently the superintendent of Victor schools in Victor, Montana. This is a K-12 district with an enrollment of 360 students. He is in his ninth year as superintendent in Victor.
Greg Pilewski is currently the deputy superintendent in Queen Anne’s County Public Schools in Maryland. This is a K-12 district with an enrollment of 7,778. He has been in this position since 2014.
Wendy Wyman is currently the superintendent in Lake County School District in Leadville, Colorado. This is a K-12 district with an enrollment of 1,082. She has served in this capacity since 2011.
Ray & Associates, a national executive search firm, has been leading the search. In December, it held meetings with trustees, administrators, staff, and Whitefish community members to help define the qualities desired in a new superintendent. All candidates were evaluated based on the qualities and criteria determined by the board.
In addition, a thorough investigation of each candidate was made through references, state officials, other school administrators, and individuals who knew the candidates’ abilities and strengths.
The board viewed short video interviews of the top eight candidates, in addition to the applications, in order to select the finalists.
Interviews will be conducted on Monday and Tuesday, March 9 and 10, by the Board of Trustees at the district board room, with the opportunity for a community meet-and-greet session at 5 and 5:30 p.m. both days. Two finalists will presented to the public each day.
Whitefish Schools Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt announced in December 2018 she would be looking for work outside of Whitefish, citing family obligations, and then in October 2019 submitted her formal resignation letter to the board, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year.
Davis Schmidt joined the school district in July 2015. Previously she was the executive regional director at Missoula County Public Schools. She was also curriculum and Title I director at Missoula County Schools, and the dean of students and administrative intern at Big Sky High School in Missoula.