Description
Position Description for Whitefish School District, Whitefish, Montana.
The Whitefish School District Board of Trustees, Whitefish, Montana, is seeking a highly qualified Superintendent to lead the district and support its mission of ensuring success for all students.
McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., Executive Recruitment and Development are engaged as consultants in a search for outstanding candidates. They will assist the Board of Trustees in identifying and screening the candidates.
Enrollment: 1,960 students
Location: Whitefish, Montana
Salary: Regionally competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
The Qualifications -
The Whitefish School District seeks a student-centered, confident, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Superintendent of Schools. The District is committed to academic excellence, transparency, strong instructional leadership, and a positive culture that values both high expectations and kindness.
Desired Leadership Characteristics:
Confident & Effective Decision-Making
- Demonstrates confidence in decision-making while remaining thoughtful and informed
- Seeks input and feedback from multiple perspectives but makes timely, decisive choices
- Makes decisions in the best interest of students and the district
- Follows through to ensure decisions are fully implemented
Instructional Leadership & Forward Thinking
- Strong, forward-thinking instructional leader who promotes student-centered decision-making and anticipates future needs and opportunities for the district
- Uses academic data and the latest research to guide instructional improvement
- Supports continuous improvement, staff clarity, and Professional Learning Communities
Board Leadership, Follow-Through & Governance
- Understands governance roles and works effectively with the board ensuring systems, policies, and directives are implemented and sustained
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to data-driven decision-making and transparency providing regular, clear academic data reports to the Board of Trustees
- Takes feedback from the board and stakeholders while ensuring board directives and collaborative decisions are carried out
Communication and Organizational Skills
- Strong, organized communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
- Keeps the board, staff, and community well-informed through proactive communication
- Clearly explains decisions, expectations, and district priorities
- Promotes the district positively and professionally with the public
Culture of Kindness, Empathy & High Standards
- Empathetic leader who listens, understands concerns, and values people
- Fosters a culture of kindness, respect, and positivity across the district
- Addresses staff concerns and ensures all employees feel heard and valued
- Maintains high standards while supporting staff growth and well-being
Continuous Improvement & Professional Growth
- Committed to personal growth and reflective leadership
- Continuously works to move the district toward greater excellence
- Open to feedback and committed to learning and improvement at all levels of the organization
- Promotes and models clear expectations and accountability
Experience & Qualifications
- Previous successful experience as a superintendent preferred
- Demonstrated record of ethical leadership and sound judgment
- Strong organizational, leadership, and resource management skills, including knowledge of school finance
Apply online at: www.macnjake.com
Search Timeline:
Closing date for applications: January 29, 2026
School Board selects finalists to interview: February 12, 2026
Finalists’ Interviews with the School Board: Week of March 2, 2026
Selection of new Superintendent: Week of March 2, 2026
Start date: July 1, 2026
Contact information:
McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C.
11725 Arbor St., Suite 220
Omaha, NE 68144
888-375-4814
Email: apps@macnjake.com
School Website: https://www.whitefishschools.org
Consultants:
Mrs. Sharla Johns
Dr. David Barker
Whitefish School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability and, when needed, will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Anyone requesting reasonable accommodation in the application or recruitment process please contact McPherson & Jacobson at the address/phone/email above.
Requirements
Experience & Qualifications
- Previous successful experience as a superintendent preferred
- Demonstrated record of ethical leadership and sound judgment
- Strong organizational, leadership, and resource management skills, including knowledge of school finance
