The Daily Inter Lake reached out to school board trustee candidates in contested elections. The information below was provided by candidates for Deer Park School District and edited for spelling, punctuation and space.

Deer Park School District has two openings for three-year terms on the board. Candidates are: incumbent Gary Anderson, Patrick Kissane, Terri Kissane, Patrick Lundie and Michael Younger.

Gary Anderson (incumbent)

Occupation: Auto repair, owner/operator.

Family: Tana; Aaron, Dan, Ashley, Samantha and Josh.

Education: Graduated from Flathead High School. Attended Flathead Valley Community College for two years and studied human behavior.

Background: My family has been associated with Deer Park for five generations. I have been a trustee on the Deer Park School Board since 2008. I have volunteered at Deer Park as a science fair judge and chaperoned many school field trips. I regularly help to serve lunch. I have acted as a facility coordinator for construction projects at Deer Park since joining the board.

Why do you want to serve as a trustee? I want to make sure that Deer Park continues to be a place where all our kids can be in an environment that helps each child meet his or her potential. I also want the school to continue to be a community gathering place where everyone feels welcome.

Our trustees and administration at Deer Park work together as a team. I enjoy working with this forward-thinking team with its goal of keeping this small country school a positive impact on the lives of our children and a viable part of our community.

Patrick Kissane

Occupation: Retired; previously employed as a district sales representative for a major food distributor.

Family: Terri Kissane; four children; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, social science area major specializing in American history.

Background: With my educational and career background, I believe I am fully qualified to carry out the duties as adopted by the Montana Department of Education Administrative Rules of Montana 10.55.701 Board of Trustees and attached definitions.

Why do you want to serve as a trustee? We have lived in the district for the past 22 years. Three of our grandchildren have attended Deer Park School, two of them graduating eighth grade. During the time that the children have been in school, we have become familiar with the principal, teachers and staff. We love the parental participation in the school. We love Deer Park School. We feel it’s time to get back to the school that has served our family well.

Terri Kissane

Occupation: Retired; previously employed as a business/quality assurance analyst.

Family: Patrick Kissane; four children; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in information technology; master’s certificate in project management; and graduate degree – MBA.

Background: Patrick and I homeschooled our grandchildren throughout the Covid school closure. We were involved in their day-to-day studies and interactions with the teachers, principal and staff while both parents worked during the school day.

With my educational and career background, I believe I am fully qualified to carry out the duties as adopted by the Montana Department of Education Administrative Rules of Montana 10.55.701 Board of Trustees and attached definitions.

Why do you want to serve as a trustee? Deer Park School is truly a wonderful school with a very supportive community of involved parents and grandparents. They promote traditional learning, love, respect and patriotism that are apparent when watching the children. The teachers are fully involved and welcome parents, grandparents and community members. I want to promote this award-winning education excellence and strong ties within the community.

I asked our grandchildren what they miss at Deer Park School. Unanimously, they all agreed that the close family atmosphere is what they loved the most and that they still remember their teachers fondly. I want to protect this.

Patrick Lundie

Occupation: I am an RN supervisor at our community hospital.

Family: My wife and four children.

Education: I have a BSN degree and have been in health care for over 25 years. My wife and I also operate a small business.

Background: I enjoy spending time with my family and our favorite activities include camping, fishing, hiking and anything outdoors.

Why do you want to serve as a trustee? I wish to serve as a board member because my own children will be a part of Deer Park for the next 13 years. I am deeply invested in the school's flourishment in a fast changing world. I want to ensure the small-town values at the school will remain. Board members should serve as a voice of the staff, students, parents and the community that elects them. I believe in the giving nature of the Columbia Falls community, and together we can accomplish many projects at Deer Park and ensure the success of current and future student experiences.

Michael Younger

Occupation: Heavy equipment operator.

Family: Wife Rachel and three sons.

Why do you want to serve as a trustee? I would like to serve on the Deer Park board of trustees because all three of my sons attend the school. We as a family are always involved in some fashion with school activities. I would like to contribute some more of my time towards the decision-making process of our school to help with a common sense approach and can-do attitude. Being a father with boys as young as mine, we will be involved with Deer Park for years to come.