Kalispell interim superintendent looks to move district forward

Kalispell Public Schools Interim Superintendent Randy Cline may only be at the helm for one school year, but he’s planning to make it one that has a lasting impact and sets the stage for the next administrator.

He said that includes moving strategic planning, transformational learning initiatives and work-based learning opportunities forward.

Cline came out of retirement from a 41-year career in education to fill the position following former superintendent Micah Hill’s departure to help the district out in a time of transition.

Hill took a position as superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools.

The last position Cline held was superintendent of Frenchtown School District. He worked in the Class A district for 14 years. Prior to that, he led Whitehall School District, a Class B district, for four years as superintendent and three as principal.

Raised in Big Sandy, the son of a farming family, Cline decided to branch off and become a teacher.

“As most teachers might tell you, there’s probably a teacher that impacted their life,” Cline said.

For Cline, those teachers were also his wrestling and football coaches.

“They all helped me along throughout my school days,” he said.

Cline went on to teach history and government for 15 years in Colstrip, a Class C district.

“It was my favorite subject in school. I just like learning about the past … how it affected what’s going on today and how it’ll affect the future,” he said.

This interest in history led him to one of his favorite pastimes, visiting historical sites. Pausing to think about which locations he’s found the most interesting, he noted Bear Paw Battlefield where the final battle of the Nez Perce War took place and led to one of Chief Joseph’s famous speeches at his surrender. He also noted a stop on the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail located on the coast of the Pacific Northwest.

Cline went into teaching without the intention of becoming an administrator. The classroom was ground level for impacting the lives of students.

“You start to have some of that distance when you become an administrator,” he said.

“My wife was the one that really encouraged me to become an administrator. As I went through the process, I learned that you can still have a real positive impact on students’ lives. You make good decisions that help the teachers and help the students,” he said, which includes providing teachers and students with the resources they need to improve education.

“All that’s a very important part of the entire educational system,” he said.

Once he became a building principal, Cline found he enjoyed the mentoring aspect of his new leadership role.

“The original definition of being a principal was the principal-teacher. It’s your responsibility to mentor the younger teachers and the staff,” he said.

As he moved into the superintendent role the same rules applied, except to the entire school district system.

Working at increasingly larger districts over time afforded him the opportunity to adapt to enrollments that doubled in size, however, he said there are common challenges that administrators will face at districts of any size.

“All those school districts, they all have good people. People that are really interested in kids and want them to see them do well,” he said, referring back to the locations he’s worked in. “And you know, every school district has its problems. Some are specific to the school district they’re in and some are more specific to every school district.”

ONE OF the challenges Kalispell schools have faced for more than a decade is growth.

“I’ve been connected in one way or another to Kalispell for the last 30 years so I’ve seen the growth take place and I know the changes, the impacts it’s going to have on schools,” Cline said.

Cline’s investment in the district’s success stems from a connection to the valley through relatives.

“My nephew was one of the first graduating seniors from Glacier High. So I followed that process,” Cline said, later adding that he also has a relative who teaches in the school district.

His wife Bobbie graduated from Flathead High School.

With growth comes funding challenges, which is why he said the district is asking voters to approve technology and security levies.

Currently, the elementary district has a technology levy in place that comes off the books in June 2024. The high school district hasn’t passed a levy of any kind since 2007.

“I think 2007, that’s when the first iPhones came out and so a lot of things have changed in that time period. There’s a lot more technology needs in school,” Cline said.

“When people think of technology, they just think of computers. But now, technology affects every aspect of every classroom, from the vocational classes to the academic classes, it’s all interrelated with technology,” he said.

Regarding the safety levies, he said the funding generated will be used to address issues brought up in a security audit conducted last year.

“Some of them are quick fixes and some of them are things that are going to take a while to address. To have a steady source of funding to address those it’s going to be very important as we move forward,” Cline said.

With the school year started he is looking forward to getting to know staff, students and families.

“I’m really happy to be here, I’m glad I have the opportunity. Even though I’m only going to be here for a year, I like to treat it like I want to be here for 10 years.

“I want to make sure that I have a positive impact on the school as we go through the school year, and that the things that I do will help students … by working with the principals and by working with the teachers,” he said while also tackling problems, highlighting successes and looking at ways to improve.

The superintendent’s office and the district enrollment department have moved out of the central office location on First Ave. E. to 514 E. Washington St. Other central office departments remain at the First Avenue East site.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-44331 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.