Micah Hill has stepped into the role of superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools at a critical time when school districts around the country try to adapt as the COVID-19 pandemic persists.

Nearly two weeks after the Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees approved Hill as the next superintendent following Mark Flatau’s retirement, schools were closed statewide as part of the response to slow the spread of COVID-19.

District priorities pivoted to figuring out how to conduct remote learning as Hill wrapped up his second year as Glacier High School principal before assuming his new responsibilities as superintendent on July 1. During that time, Hill and Flatau began preparing for the transition to make it as smooth as possible during an unprecedented time.

Now, after more than three weeks as superintendent, Hill’s focus is on reopening schools and getting plans in place for students and staff to return at the end of August to start the 2020-21 school year safely. Once the details are in place in regard to health, safety and education delivery, the work begins on what a quality education looks like for students in the classroom versus students learning remotely according to Hill.

With reopening under COVID-19 taking precedence, “There are certainly things that are on the back burner right now,” he said.

However, he realizes this doesn’t mean the responsibilities of operating a school district with roughly 750 employees, 6,000 students who attend six elementary schools, a middle school, two high schools, alternative high school and vocational agriculture center go away.

“Everything has to run and continue to operate. It’s just where they sit in the priorities,” Hill said.

Hill has the advantage of familiarity with the district, coming in with previous experience working in administrative positions at the middle and high school. In addition to serving as the Glacier High School principal, he was an assistant principal at Glacier for 11 years. Prior to that, he was dean of students and activities director for eighth and ninth grades and seventh-grade principal.

When Hill started in education as an English teacher he didn’t anticipate where he would be today. It was others who saw his leadership potential and encouraged him to move into an administrative role.

“I enjoy the challenges, the problem-solving — working with staff and adults in developing that bigger picture in what education can be for our students,” Hill said.

In the move from assistant principal to principal, he said the focus shifted from students to staff.

“When you move from an assistant principal position to a principal position, assistant principals have very much a student focus and the biggest shift from assistant principal to principal is you become very staff focused,” he said.

The difference between principal and superintendent is one of scale, which has broadened to include all staff and students, facilities, finance, transportation and food in addition to connecting with the community. Yet, it’s a task not accomplished alone.

“There’s the administrative team and support staff who are really the people in the trenches ...” he said.

“The learning curve right now is really steep, which is OK, and you can’t totally prepare for all of it, but what you can do is use the skills you’ve acquired along the way and apply those in a bigger picture sense,” he added.

In looking at other district priorities he noted strategic planning to “guide that overall vision for the district,” he said.

Another priority is to revisit long-range facility plans in regard to enrollment and building capacity, namely at Kalispell Middle School.

“They’re running at about 1,100 kids in a single building — sixth, seventh, eighth grade. Is that too large and should we look at a second middle school?” Hill said.

“As a personal priority — getting to know staff, being visible in our buildings and showing support for what they do is certainly a priority for me,” he said. “Being new to the position, but not being new to the district, I think another priority is to take the time to listen to concerns and things that people think that we can be doing better.”

In highlighting a district strength he would like to continue, he pointed to the variety of academic programs and activities offered to students.

“We have so much expertise and amazing teachers throughout our curriculum areas — I think that makes Kalispell Public Schools unique in that we offer so much,” he said, also noting the students in the district typically score highly in standardized test scores.

Yet, there is always room to grow.

“I don’t think we can be satisfied with being really good in those areas, so certainly in academic achievement, I would say there are certainly pockets of growth,” Hill said. “Our high performing kids have always been our high performing kids. Where are struggling learners and how do we get them to the next level? That’s part of what we do in education. We’re always green and growing. We’re always striving to provide a better education for our students.”

When it comes to leadership style, Hill strives for one that is compassionate.

“I would say leading from the heart,” he said in what he thinks is an important element of his leadership philosophy. “You have to show people that you care. There’s certainly a business side to everything, but there’s another component to it and I think about it from having been a principal the relationships you develop with staff and families, you know, they become your family in a way,” Hill said.

Hill said he is grateful for the opportunity to lead the district.

“I want to do well by our students, our community and staff,” he said.

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