Todd Fiske will be leaving West Valley School after 12 years as superintendent.

He will complete his contract through June.

Fiske has accepted a new position as executive director at Summit Preparatory School, a therapeutic boarding school near Kalispell. He is familiar with Summit Preparatory after spending 10 years on the board of directors.

“After consideration of the director position I thought it would be a good opportunity to try something new,” Fiske said. “West Valley is a golden place with great people and it was an emotional decision to leave.”

Fiske said the best part about his job as superintendent was working with a great staff.

“The guiding force in making us a good school was the dedicated group of people that have the same goal to educate kids,” he said.

Jane Wheeler, chairwoman of the West Valley board of trustees, said the board is “very sorry to lose Mr. Fiske. He’s been an excellent principal and superintendent.”

Applications for the West Valley superintendent position will be accepted through Feb. 17. Wheeler said the board is looking for a candidate who has energy, organizational skills and works well with children. West Valley School serves about 500 kindergarten through eighth-grade students with a staff of about 50.

“We’re looking for someone who can retain the good reputation West Valley has,” Wheeler said.

The tentative plan is to interview candidates at the beginning of March and make a recommendation at a March 12 board meeting.

A new superintendent will assume responsibilities July 1. With increasing enrollment Wheeler said the board plans to hire a principal separate from the superintendent position at a later date.

For more information or to request an application contact the district office at 755-7239, or email Todd Fiske at tfiske@westvalleyschool.com.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.