As the new school year quickly approaches, school districts across the valley have been filling up principal and superintendent positions.

In Kalispell Public Schools, Glenda Armstrong was named the new principal of Elrod Elementary School. Armstrong, who has 15 years of experience in education, succeeds Jeff Hornby, who now is Kalispell Middle School assistant principal.

Armstrong joins the district from Idaho where she was principal at Dalton Elementary for the past three years. Armstrong has a Master of Educational Leadership degree from The University of Idaho and bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Montana State University-Northern.

After five years as Edgerton Elementary assistant principal and instructional specialist, Merisa Murray was promoted to principal at the school.

She replaces Darren Schlepp, who took a principal position at Whittier Elementary in Bozeman. Schlepp had been a principal with Kalispell Public Schools for 10 years: five at Edgerton and five at Russell Elementary.

Murray has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Great Falls and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from the University of Phoenix.

“I’m excited to be the Edgerton principal, and I’m looking forward to getting creative input from staff, parents, and others as we look to take on the issue of overcrowding. I also see professional development training as a top priority as we prepare to implement the Common Core Standards,” Murray said.

Human Resources Director Karen Glasser estimates the Edgerton assistant principal position will be filled by the end of July.

AT KILA SCHOOL, Jason Christy replaces Renee Boisseau, who took a director position at Montessori Elementary in Kalispell.

Christy moves to Kila from Cayuse Prairie School, where he taught seventh- and eighth-grade science, math and social studies.

Christy holds a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from the Metropolitan State College of Denver. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in math and social science. He is nearing completion of a Master of Educational Leadership degree from the University of Montana.

GLACIER GATEWAY Elementary in Columbia Falls School District welcomes Peter Loyda, former principal of Swan River School near Bigfork, as the new principal in Columbia Falls.

He brings with him 18 years of experience, the last eight as Swan River principal. Loyda said he is looking forward to the opportunity to progress in his career to a larger school district.

“I’m certainly honored to be part of the Columbia Falls administrative team,” Loyda said. “My goal is to provide quality leadership and provide positive rapport with teachers, students and the community.”

Loyda has a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Concordia College in Mequon, Wis. He also holds a bachelor’s in elementary education with a concentration in social studies from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.

Marc Bunker of Bigfork will replace Loyda at Swan River.

WEST VALLEY, Helena Flats and Cayuse Prairie school districts have new superintendents.

West Valley School District named Cal Ketchum of Kellogg, Idaho, as superintendent to replace Todd Fiske, who accepted a position as executive director at Summit Preparatory School west of Kalispell.

Ketchum has a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Idaho, a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Eastern Washington University, a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice from Central Washington University and an associate’s in law enforcement from Everett Community College.

He currently is completing a master’s degree at the University of Idaho.

GARY WEITZ of Colfax, Wash., was named superintendent of Helena Flats School District, replacing Ann Minckler, who is moving to Phoenix where her husband will start a new job.

His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences and Physical Education and Master of Teacher Education degree, both from Eastern Oregon University.

Cayuse Prairie Elementary welcomes Amy Piazzola as new principal/superintendent, replacing Rick Nadeau, who resigned in December for health reasons and died in early January.

Piazzola has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Montana College and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Rocky Mountain College.

THE WHITEFISH High School principal position remains open after Principal Dave Carlson resigned on June 22.

School board vice-chairwoman Ruth Harrison said the position has not yet been posted and the district still is in discussions.