Board selects Dziowgo as new Columbia Falls Public Schools superintendent

The Columbia Falls Public Schools Board of Trustees on April 12 selected Cory Dziowgo as its next superintendent.

Dziowgo (pronounced Jeffco) is superintendent of Platte County School District 1 in Wheatland, Wyoming. He explained during a question-and-answer forum in Columbia Falls earlier this month that his last name means “big tree” in Polish.

Dziowgo has been the superintendent of Platte County School District since 2020. It has a total enrollment of about 905 students. From 2016 to 2020 he was the district's middle school principal.

He started his career in education in 2006 as a chemistry and biology teacher in Rapid City, South Dakota.

He taught until 2010 and then became the Meeteetse School principal and activities director in Wyoming before moving to Platte County.

Dziowgo also toured the schools, met with staff and was interviewed by the school board during his trip to Columbia Falls.

He answered a variety of questions during the public forum, touching on a wide range of subjects — controversial books, working with nonprofits, parental rights and student homelessness, just to name a few.

As for his personal background, Dziowgo noted he graduated from a small school, with a class of just 54 in Nebraska. He was the center on the football team, performed in the school play, but wasn’t artistic.

He has three school-aged children,a fifth, third and second grader, and his wife, Amie, teaches elementary school as well.

He said he plans on staying in Columbia Falls and didn’t take the move lightly.

“I’m not a professional transient,” he said.

On the subject of student homelessness, he noted students needed to feel secure or they don’t learn very well, so they need support.

On controversial books, he said he would first research district policy, then seek to understand objectionable material. If need be, he’d set up a committee to look at the book and the issue further.

On parental rights, he noted that communication was key. Today districts can reach parents easier than ever, through information online as well as social media. He also noted districts have to comply with state and federal law as well as their own policies.

“We all want the best for our clients, and our clients are our kids,” he said.

On graduation rates, he noted they can be one measure of success, but aren’t the sole metric. He noted that some students end up receiving high school diplomas five years out — yet at least in Wyoming, they don’t count as graduates.

Last year, Columbia Falls graduation rate was 86.67%, with a completion rate of 90.63%.

The rate had been higher prior to the pandemic. It was 94.48% in 2020.

School lockdowns and remote learning didn’t start until the fall of 2020.

Dziowgo said he had an open view of education. Staff and administration should be able to try new ideas and methods — if something doesn’t work, then fix it.

But ultimately, he said the success of students lies on his shoulders.

He wants to hit the ground running.

“I’m not going to take the first 100 days and sit back and watch,” he said.

He said one of his greatest assets was that in Wyoming, he’s out there with the kids and teachers and visiting classrooms.

“I’m not leading from my office,” he said.

The board was expected to finalize Dziowgo’s contract this past week.

Dziowgo and Andy Maheras were the two finalists for the position. Maheras is currently the superintendent of Helena Flats School.

Current superintendent Dave Wick will retire at the end of the school year after a distinguished 40 year career in education.

Dziowgo said he plans on being active, visible and in touch with students during his tenure.

“It’s always about the kids,” he said.

He starts July 1.