Whitefish School District Superintendent Dave Means looks to finish the school year strong before retiring on June 30, 2026.  

“It truly has been an honor to serve in this role and be a part of the amazing Whitefish School District community,” Means said at the school board meeting last week. “And when I say community, that means everyone involved in helping the school district. 

“I am deeply grateful for the continued focus on educational excellence and the efforts to support each student's growth and success, by our staff, administrators, trustees, and the greater community. I am confident the district will continue to thrive, thanks to the ongoing collaborative efforts and commitment to outstanding education from everyone involved.” 

Means was named the interim superintendent for Whitefish in March 2020 after the hire for a new permanent superintendent fell through. At the time, he was the district’s director of education services, a position he held for 16 years.  

Means’ first opportunity working with students was driving school buses while attending the University of Montana. His career in education then branched to Bozeman and Alaska, before settling in Whitefish, where his children attended school.  

After retiring as superintendent, he’ll be able to spend more time with family, and may possibly extend his expertise to consulting, he said.  

“I want to acknowledge that Dave did not apply to be the superintendent,” said Trustee Katie Clarke at the board meeting. “We knew Dave was respected and had done great things for the district. And we said, ‘Please will you do it?’ He said if that’s what you need, I’ll do it. We asked for one year, and here we are five years later.”  

Immediately after taking the interim role, Means was tasked with the unprecedented challenges brought on by Covid-19. 

Means’ strong leadership led to his selection as the Northwest Montana Association of School Superintendents (NWMASS) regional Superintendent of the Year in 2023.  

In addition to navigating the pandemic, Means saw through the passage of the Whitefish High School expansion bond and has helped the district improve their academic offerings. 

“Our academic outcomes, across all levels and subjects, have improved,” Clarke said. 

School board trustees said Means will be remembered for his culture of kindness, calm demeanor, and strong ability to collaborate.  

“He brought a stabilizing force to the district, events of kindness, and a culture of collaboration that we’re all better off for,” Clarke said.  

Board Chair Elizabeth Pitman moved forward the formation of a search committee to fill the role, which includes Trustees Shannon Hanson and Clarke, as well as Sarah Krumm, newly hired human resources director, and Lucie Shea, business clerk. The committee is now working to select a search firm.  

The search firm will be tasked with conducting interviews and making recommendations for hire. 

“The search firm typically gets input from administrators, facility, staff, board members, and the community to know what we are looking for, before posting,” said Clarke. “There will be opportunities for input along the way.”  

Means wrote in a letter to trustees that he is committed to working closely with the board to ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition in the months ahead.  

“As I prepare for this transition, my focus will remain on maintaining stability and continuing to focus on the goals, initiatives and progress of the district,” he wrote. “I look forward to finishing the school year strong.”