Bigfork School District has two openings for three year terms. The candidates are Mary Lustig, incumbent Paul Sandry and Alisa Kennedy.  There is also one opening for a two-year term. The candidates are Scott Cummings and Kate Averill. 

Mary Lustig  

Occupation: Homemaker. 

Family: Husband, Daniel Lustig and children, Gwenna, a Bigfork High School sophomore; Gray, a Bigfork Middle School eighth grader and Charlie, a Bigfork Elementary School fifth grader. 

Education: Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Master of Science in Nutrition Science, University at Buffalo (2006); graduate work in molecular physiology and biophysics, Vanderbilt University (2006-08); registered dietetics degree, Kansas State University (2010). 

Background: As a stay-at-home mom with three children who attend Bigfork School District, I have loved getting involved in our beautiful little community and have met so many wonderful families that also call Bigfork home. I have been a coach for my kids’ recreational soccer teams and have served on the Bigfork Soccer Club board as the recreational soccer coordinator for many years. I truly enjoyed helping the littlest kids in Bigfork have a safe, fun environment to get physical activity. Throughout the years, I [have] been active at the school doing various things such as helping teachers support reading activities, chaperoning on field trips, working at the garden, helping at PTA-sponsored events and working in the concession stands at high school sporting events. As a registered dietitian, I am passionate about advocating for schools to provide healthy, affordable meals and plenty of physical activity.   

Why are you running? 

I have always valued public education. My mother taught middle school English for 33 years, my father served on the school board for 11 years, and my grandmother told stories about putting herself through school to become a teacher during the Great Depression and starting her first teaching job in a one room schoolhouse. I feel fortunate to have had excellent teachers, staff and coaches to set me up for success during school and after graduation. Serving as a school trustee is the perfect way for me to give back to the community of Bigfork doing something I am passionate about.  

What is one of the top issues facing the school district and how would you work to address it?

I look forward to being “a learner” when it comes to serving on the school board, as I know that there will be things that require me to do extra research, questions that need to be asked and answers to be obtained from listening to educators, board members, staff and the community. Educators at Bigfork Elementary School encourage their students to not only be learners but to also be respectful, be responsible and be safe. I pledge to demonstrate these four principles.  

Every school district needs to constantly reevaluate what opportunities they can provide for their students based on changes in enrollment and the latest challenges or issues that arise. I plan to think critically about various ways the school district can ensure it is providing the best education that the community can fiscally support.  

I’ve seen firsthand the importance of strong partnerships between families, educators, and the community of Bigfork. If elected to the school board, I plan to foster these partnerships and ensure that Bigfork schools produces students that make the community proud.  

Paul Sandry (incumbent)  

Occupation: Attorney. 

Family: Wife, Christine and adult children, Phil, Ben and Josh. 

Education: Bachelor of Arts degree, University of Montana; Juris Doctor (high honors), University of Montana; LL.M. in taxation, University of Florida. 

Background: The 21 years of service as a member of the Bigfork board of trustees provides me with institutional knowledge, skills and unwritten “know-how” to assist with most all issues that come before the Board. 

Why are you running? 

I have a sincere desire to continue the district’s ability to provide a quality education to children and to strive to improve the education the district offers. I also want to balance the burden of the taxpayers with the actual needs of the district. Finally, I want to provide some measure of continuity and mentorship for new and newer board members, given the increase in number of the board and the relatively short tenure of most board members. 

What is one of the top issues facing the school district and how would you work to address it? 

A top issue facing all districts is academics and student proficiencies. Bigfork has an excellent teaching staff and innovative administrators who analyze the education model, constantly searching to improve student outcomes. But distractions, such as cellphone use and chronic absenteeism, cripple the educational process. The board recently banned the use of cellphones during school hours and committed to an attendance policy mandating student attendance, which has been atrocious in many cases. Addressing academic issues requires frequent communication and collaboration with the educational expertise possessed by teachers and school administrators. 

Alisa Kennedy 

Occupation: Lawyer. 

Family: Husband, Chris; children, William, who will be a senior at Bigfork High School;  Alexandra, who will be a freshman and adult stepchildren, Claire and Cameron. 

Education: Columbine High School, Littleton, Colorado (1988); Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Biology, University of Colorado-Boulder (1992); Juris Doctor, University of Denver (1996); LL.M. Taxation, New York University (1998). 

Background: For the last 30 years, I have worked as a lawyer representing real estate developers that build, and banks that finance, affordable housing. I am a board member of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. I have served as a middle school youth group volunteer leader for the past two years at Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church and I am the volunteer team manager for the Bigfork Grizzly Barrels youth shotgun team at the Bigfork Gun Club.

Why are you running? 

I believe I have the leadership, fiscal responsibility and strategic planning skills required for the role of a school board trustee. I want to serve Bigfork schools to contribute to the community and ensure our kids are receiving a quality education in a safe and engaging environment. I believe it is important as a trustee to bridge communication between the school board and the community of parents and students, but also ensure that the voices of teachers and administrators who are with our kids every day are represented in our education decisions. 

What is one of the top issues facing the school district and how would you work to address it? 

Bigfork schools need to boost enrollment. Bigfork is a great community and you do not need to live here to appreciate all that it has to offer. However, families in and around Bigfork send their kids out of district because of the specialized programming or extracurricular and sports programs at the Kalispell Schools. We, as a community and school board, need to establish our identity as a school district and we need to promote what we have to offer. Bigfork schools need to identify specialized or alternative academic and extracurricular programs to draw families in and maintain enrollment. I personally favor the idea of establishing technical programs at Bigfork schools. The Bigfork School District could consider using the old fire station to house technical programs once the fire department moves to its new building. Programs to provide industry certifications, technical programming for skilled trades, dual-enrollment options and credits with Flathead Valley Community College will cause families looking at schools in the Flathead Valley to pause and not look elsewhere but want to learn more about Bigfork schools. 

Scott Cummings 

Occupation: Financial adviser and president of Noisy Creek Capital. 

 Family: Wife, Lauren Cummings and children, Henry, Sonny and Schei. 

Education: Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California. 

Background: My background as a local parent of three children gives me a personal stake in the success of our schools. Professionally, I bring experience from aerospace, consulting, finance and the technology sector, including leadership roles that have strengthened my ability to solve problems, manage resources and drive results. I also coach youth sports in the Bigfork community and, during college, taught STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to inner-city middle school students. Together, these experiences allow me to bring a balanced, practical and student-focused perspective to the school board. 

Why are you running? 

I want to serve as a trustee for Bigfork schools because I care deeply about the success and well-being of our community's students and faculty. As a parent, I understand the importance of a strong educational foundation and a supportive school environment. I value collaboration, transparency and listening to families, teachers and the administration. I will prioritize student achievement, fiscal responsibility and student safety. I am committed to contributing my time and perspective to help our schools continue to grow and provide the best opportunities for every child. 

What is one of the top issues facing the school district you want to serve and how would you work to address it? 

One of the most pressing challenges facing Bigfork Elementary is low math proficiency, with only 30–40% of students meeting or exceeding standards. This underscores the need for stronger, more consistent support in foundational math skills. I would address this by advocating for evidence-based curriculum improvements, drawing on successful practices from high-performing local districts and top national models. By strengthening classroom instruction, increasing accountability, and fostering meaningful family engagement, we can create a clear, measurable path to improved outcomes for all students. 

Kate Averill 

Occupation: Flathead Lake Lodge and Crossroads Christian Fellowship. 

Family: Husband, Chase Averill and three children who attend Bigfork Elementary School — Brooks, a fifth grader, Hank, a third grader and Blake, a kindergartner. 

Education: Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia (2006). 

Background: My husband and I are fortunate to continue the Averill family legacy of operating Flathead Lake Lodge, which celebrated its 80th summer this past year. In addition to the lodge, I also work at Crossroads Christian Fellowship, organizing events and projects for the church. My involvement in these two areas has given me the great joy of connecting with our community and experiencing firsthand the issues that impact all of us on a day-to-day basis. I am constantly reminded of what an amazing community we have here in Bigfork and am truly blessed to call this place home. 

Why are you running? 

With young kids currently attending Bigfork Elementary School, I have a real-life connection to the current issues facing our school. These issues not only impact my family, but our community as a whole. As my husband and I work to carry our Bigfork family business into its fourth generation, I am committed to preserving what we all love and cherish about this town. My mother-in-law, Maureen Averill, was on the Bigfork school board for almost 20 years, and if given the opportunity, I hope to dedicate myself in a similar way to the continued success of our Bigfork schools. 

What is one of the top issues facing the school district you want to serve and how would you work to address it? 

I believe a priority of Bigfork schools is finding even better ways to care for our teachers. As a parent, I am entrusting the school with my children, and with that comes the responsibility to not only educate them, but to support their well-being and help them reach their full potential in a safe, positive and motivating environment. We can't achieve success for our children without a strong, supported staff of teachers. Having kids of my own has opened my eyes to the tremendous gift our teachers are. If elected, I will have the best interest of our teachers in mind. How can we continue to hire good teachers while fighting the high cost of living in Bigfork? I also believe we should place a strong focus on training and support. Are we providing the best curriculum, and do our teachers feel confident and supported? What more can we do as a board, as parents and as a community to help our teachers? By taking care of our teachers, we are helping the school's overall success in areas of enrollment, test scores, school culture, etc. I am eager to learn more about these issues and working together on their solutions. 

      

      

    Dawn May Photography