Rayne Beach was sworn in as the newest Whitefish School Board trustee in May after being elected by acclamation for a three-year term.

“It’s going to be so fun to be more active in schools because the kids keep it fun ... and so do the trustees – there's always exposure to new ideas,” Beach said.  

Prior to putting down roots in Whitefish, Beach gathered a lot of experience in different school settings.  

“I was a military kid growing up, so I moved around a lot. So it’s been great to be in Whitefish for this long,” said Beach, who moved to the valley in 1998. 

Growing up, Beach finished kindergarten in Puerto Rico, then attended four other K-8 schools and three high schools. After graduating from high school in Phoenix, she completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing.  

As an RN, her hospital nursing career started in a neonatal ICU, followed by attaining a master of business administration, and then working as director of nursing education at University of Utah Hospital. 

When Beach’s sister moved to Whitefish 29 years ago, she quickly followed. 

“There was a job opening for my husband, who’s an OB-GYN, and I was hired at Glacier Medical Clinic,” Beach said. The clinic is now called Glacier Medical Associates.  

“I worked with them for 22 great years until I retired four years ago,” Beach said. 

Beach first started volunteering with local schools while raising three daughters. 

Rayne’s oldest daughter graduated from Columbia Falls High School and her two younger daughters graduated from Whitefish High School. 

Beach has also volunteered at Shepherd’s Hand Clinic and served on the Agency on Aging advisory council. 

Last spring, Beach saw the opening for the trustee position and thought it could be a good fit.  

“Professionally, I’ve done a lot of education ... and all through my daughter’s elementary years I taught as a volunteer at their schools. 

“I thought this would be the best way to give back to the community. It’s a good place to put my energy,” Beach said.  

Having moved around a lot, Beach especially appreciates how the smaller district “values integration.”

“Education makes such a big impact that way,” she said. 

Beach looks forward to serving on the board as a vote on bonds for a high school expansion and new athletic facility approaches this fall.  

“I’m especially excited about how the academic bond would expand vocational education pathways for students, like in culinary arts,” Beach said.  

For the athletic bond, Beach said, “Supporting a new, district-owned football field, as well as a track, is so important. ADA-accessibility would be a great positive, too.”