Flathead County commissioners appoint new county Superintendent of Schools
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month AGO
New Flathead County Superintendent of Schools Marcia Stolfus.
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | June 12, 2025 12:00 AM
Flathead County commissioners have appointed a long-time educator to take over as the new Flathead County Superintendent of Schools.
Commissioners selected Marcia Stolfus, who has 18 years of experience in special education, for the position. Stolfus has served as the director of the
Flathead County Special Education Cooperative for the past three years.
Stolfus takes over the spot vacated by Superintendent Cal Ketchum.
“Education has been my passion for nearly two decades and I am deeply committed to the future of education in the Flathead Valley,” Stolfus said in a release. “Our schools are the heart of the community. I appreciate the confidence the commissioners have placed in me and look forward to building on the foundation laid by Superintendent Ketchum.”
Commissioners also interviewed Shannon Marshall, the principal and superintendent of Kila School District.
Ketchum, who was previously the superintendent of West Valley School, was elected to the county position in 2022. Stolfus will serve through the remainder of Ketchum’s unexpired term which runs through December 2026.
The county superintendent oversees the 23 independent school districts in the county and has general supervision of public schools in the county while performing the administrative duties outlined by state law.
According to state election timelines, candidates interested in the next term must file by the end of 2025 for the June 2026 primary election.
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