Darlene Schottle is entering her last school year as superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools.

Schottle submitted a letter of resignation to the board of trustees Tuesday after serving the district for the past 10 years.

“It is with pride at our joint efforts and a touch of sadness that I provide you notice of my resignation from my position as the Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent of Schools, as of June 30, 2014,” Schottle wrote in her letter of resignation. “I enthusiastically look forward to working with staff through the next year in order to complete some important projects and continuing to provide leadership on board initiatives.”   

Although she has not yet determined her plans after the 2013-14 school year, Schottle said she is not planning to seek a full-time superintendent position in another district. Instead, Schottle wants to transition into retirement.

“I’m going to explore my options. I might look at working as a consultant or other part-time work,” Schottle said. “Partly, I feel like I’m getting ready for retirement. I want to spend more time with family and hiking outdoors — it’s just the right time to make that transition.”

During her years in Kalispell the district has grown in significant ways. 

“It has been an exciting and rewarding experience to be part of the growth and change that has occurred in Kalispell Public Schools over the last ten years. As a team of board members, administration and staff we have partnered with the community to build new and significantly upgrade learning spaces while continually addressing the academic performance of the students in the district,” Schottle wrote. 

Notable improvements to facilities during Schottle’s tenure include construction of Glacier High School, renovations at Kalispell Middle School and Flathead High School and classroom additions now being built at Edgerton and Peterson schools. 

The district has also enhanced curriculum offerings and made strides in improving student achievement and graduation rates.

“The inclusion of an IB [International Baccalaureate] program and expansion of AP [Advanced Placement] options have provided more opportunities for our high school students while the reconfiguration of alternative education programs and credit retrieval has impacted students that needed those options,” Schottle wrote. “More than twice as many students are now engaged in the expanded activity and athletic programs providing more opportunities for parent and community involvement.”  

Schottle said she looks forward to the coming school year and working on initiatives such as Common Core readiness and student math achievement scores, among others. 

Schottle was superintendent in Reno, Nev., for four years prior to taking the Kalispell job.

Trustees have not formally discussed how they will begin a new superintendent search.

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