Townsend School Superintendent Andrea Johnson has been recommended as the next assistant superintendent for Kalispell Public Schools.

A 20-member interview team selected Johnson following interviews with four finalists. 

The recommendation to hire Johnson will be presented to school trustees at their May 12 board meeting.

Johnson, 54, has 24 years of experience as an administrator in Montana. Johnson is currently in her fourth year as superintendent of Townsend School District, which has an enrollment of 661 students.

Prior to working in Townsend, Johnson was superintendent of Big Sky School District in Big Sky from 2010-11. From 2008 to 2011, she served as the kindergarten- through 12th-grade curriculum coordinator for Big Sky School District and as principal of Ophir Elementary School. 

If Johnson is approved, she will replace Dan Zorn, who accepted a superintendent position at Longview School District in Washington. 

As assistant superintendent, Johnson’s duties will primarily be overseeing curriculum and instruction. This is where her strengths lie, according to Kalispell Superintendent Mark Flatau.

“She had very strong support from the interview team,” Flatau said. 

The interview team consisted administrators, teachers, support staff, teacher and tutor union presidents, a trustee and a parent.

Four candidates were interviewed last week, including Glacier High School Principal Callie Langhor, Flathead High School Assistant Principal Michelle Paine and St. Ignatius School Superintendent Bob Lewandowski.

Johnson said she was drawn to the assistant superintendent position because of the Kalispell district’s reputation and the professionalism she experienced during the interview process.

“I’m excited to be part of their mission to educate all students for the future,” Johnson said.

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