SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Elementary School Board accepted Superintendent Chris Stout’s resignation at a special meeting June 25.
Stout emailed the board his resignation June 18, “Hey guys. I just wanted to let you know that I will not be returning next year. I know everything is open to speculation but honestly it’s time. It’s time for everyone. I appreciate all your support and will always look back on my time and smile. Life changes. People change. Places change. I think this is a win-win for everyone. My last day will be June 30. You can do what you want with the information but I would appreciate, so I can let people know in person, if you can wait until next week to mention it. Once again, thank you, especially Todd [Johnson] who was crazy enough to stick it out with me all these years. Sincerely, Chris”
Missoula County Superintendent of Schools Erin Lipkind was in attendance to offer the board guidance on how to proceed with hiring a new superintendent/principal as well as offer help from her office in hiring open staff positions.
Lipkind recommended the board hire a firm specializing in hiring school administrators due to the lack of time to go though the process. She also was concerned about the quality of candidates the position will receive as most good candidates have already signed contracts for the next school year and they will not want to break those.
“Because of the lateness of the hour, you should be very wary about the decision you make. You should probably post an interim position for one year. Don’t offer a three year contract because you don’t know who you are going to get,” said Lipkind. “What we see in small districts from around the state is the dance of mediocre superintendents and they go from one district to another.”
Lipkind doesn’t think the board will find the right person who is committed to the school and to living in Seeley Lake on short notice. Hiring a firm, however, would help find a quality candidate.
Lipkind recommended Elizabeth Kaleva of Kaleva Law Office in Missoula. The firm is currently assisting a couple other rural school districts in their search for similar positions and that may help get a jump on finding a superintendent for SLE.
The board took Lipkind’s advice and voted to hire Kaleva. If all goes well, Lipkind felt a new superintendent could be in place by mid August.
At the meeting the board also approved hiring a new staff and renewing another.
Donna Sue Pierce was hired as a para-educator II and will work with students for this summer and for the extended school year. Her hiring was discussed at the last board meeting but her name was accidently left off the list as a new staff hire.
Angela Harris was renewed. She was previously paid in part from the Health Relationship Grant monies through Missoula County. That grant has been renewed for two years and now covers the full cost of her position.
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