Mark Flatau was a clear choice for Kalispell Public Schools superintendent Tuesday night after two days of interviews and public comment.

Two to three Kalispell school board members now will travel to Cle Elum-Roslyn School District in Cle Elum, Wash., for a site visit Jan. 22-23. If that visit is successful, the board plans to offer Flatau a contract on Jan 28.

Flatau has been superintendent in Cle Elum for the past nine years. His school district has an enrollment of 950 students operating on an approximately $9 million budget.

By comparison, Kalispell Public Schools have 5,800 students.  

After trustees interviewed five candidates Monday and Tuesday, the floor was opened to public comment. A few staff members commented on Flatau’s dynamic personality and enthusiasm during his visit to Kalispell.

One of those people was longtime Flathead High School English Department Chairwoman Sue Brown. Brown worked with several superintendents in Kalispell since 1977.

“The staff needs an inspirational and empowering leader,” Brown said.

Flatau was also noted for the time and personal investment he took to learn about the district, according to Alex Schaeffer, president of the Kalispell Tutor Federation.

“He knew who I was, introduced himself to me. It’s a big deal when someone walks up to you, knows who you are and a bit of your story,” Schaeffer said.

Board members took note of the public support and a few trustees were swayed in their initial top choices following the interview process. One of those trustees was Mary Ruby.

“Mark has a lot of passion. He seemed very nervous at the beginning, but by question five he seemed to settle in and he really engaged. He had you in the palm of his hands,” Ruby said pointing to the audience.

Trustee Jack Fallon disclosed that although he had never met Flatau prior to this week, he  has a daughter who works in Flatau’s school district. He had also narrowed down his top two choices after hearing interviews.

“Out of the two I wanted to know more about was Mark,” Fallon said.

Trustee Mark Twichel, who spoke to his personal experience as a manager hiring and “reading” people for 20 years that Flatau had the “it” factor.

Flatau said he has been visiting the Flathead Valley for the past 35 years.

The other candidates interviewed were Deborah Akers, a superintendent in Princeton, W.Va.; Glenn Gelbrich, a superintendent in Juneau, Alaska; Randy Cline, a superintendent in Frenchtown, and Thomas Moore, an assistant superintendent in Great Falls.

Each candidate was given an hour to answer 14 questions asked by trustees.

Following the interviews, audience members were asked to fill out evaluations of each candidate, rating them on professionalism, communication skills, leadership and knowledge of areas such as budget and curriculum.

Flatau is the frontrunner to succeed Superintendent Darlene Schottle, who is stepping down at the end of the school year after 11 years at the helm of the Kalispell school district.

The position was advertised with a salary of $125,000, plus benefits, depending on experience. The new superintendent will begin duties July 1.

The Kalispell district has five elementary schools, one middle school, two high schools and an alternative educational center with about 5,800 students enrolled. The district employs approximately 740 regular part-time and full-time staff members, not including substitutes.

In his interview Monday, Flatau stressed communication, organization and accountability.

Flatau came armed with a personal biography brochure he handed out to the audience in addition to samples of informational publications that went out to his district stakeholders such as a “2012-13 Annual School Performance Report” and a “2013 School Levy Q & A.” 

“I wanted you to know as much as possible,” Flatau said. He then held up the performance report. “I’m proud of this document that speaks to accountability to our community.”

Communication is the most important aspect of any organization, Flatau said. And with clear communication comes transparency. These led to a successful levy vote in 2013, according to Flatau.

“We try to be very straightforward, very transparent, put information as plainly as we can. If they [voters] think you’re blowing smoke, they know it,” Flatau said.

“It’s answering tough questions, it’s not being rattled by them. You don’t take offense by it, simply say, ‘Here are the facts,’” Flatau said. 

Organization and planning for the future were apparent in a plan Flatau handed out to trustees outlining goals and activities he would like to accomplish in the first few months if selected as the next superintendent.

Compassion has played a vital role in the vision statement of Flatau’s current district. Flatau said it had to answer a few questions:

“Is this creating a caring and compassionate community? Is it creating a caring and compassionate school? Is it resulting in social and academic excellence? Those are drivers that we talk about a lot in regards to how we use our vision.”  

Financial planning is an area Flatau said he is “hands-on.”

Every budget involves a core team of principals, directors, union representatives, parents and community members. Flatau sees the budget process as an opportunity to take “school finance 101.”

In his tour of Kalispell Public Schools, Flatau said there are challenges in some of the older buildings, but “the most important thing remains when you walk into those building, there was a culture of learning you could sense was happening.”

Assessing each building system from roofing to plumbing is key to budgeting for ongoing maintenance. He said this could be established through a report card system.

“In Washington state we provide a letter grade for each building,” Flatau said.

Successful leadership in Flatau’s eyes is a cooperative effort.

“If you’re worried about someone coming in and trying to steer the ship solely, that’s not me. I have a saying that I don’t care who’s leading the parade as long as it’s headed in the right direction for our kids. With that said though, I also believe that the superintendent plays a prominent role in the community and I accept that wholeheartedly,” Flatau said.

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