Plains School Superintendent submits resignation

At the regularly scheduled January Plains School Board meeting, Board Chair Lana Dicken announced the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Walsh. 

Walsh’s tenure will conclude at the end of the 2025-26 school year. 

“I would like to thank the students, parents, guardians and many community members for welcoming me to community and I wish them the best in the future.” Walsh continued, “ Not retiring, just pursuing new educational opportunities.”

Walsh was hired in 2023 and holds a Ph.D in school administration. She moved to Plains from the New York City area, but has roots in Western Montana through her husband, Denis Munson.

Her contract and performance were a point of discussion during public comment at school board meetings last year.

DURING HER superintendent’s report at last week's meeting, Walsh highlighted the success of the 2025 Plains Fourth Annual Winter Bazaar, which featured more than 70 vendors. She also reported the district has leased four new automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which will be installed throughout the school. Walsh noted that 122 students were absent on the day of the meeting due to illness.

Walsh also announced that Athletic Director Russell Kujala has submitted his resignation, effective at the end of the school year. Kujala said he will complete his contract through the end of June and remain employed by the district as maintenance supervisor.

“I just wanted to make sure we had plenty of time to find someone for the position next year,” Kujala said.

The district will also lose Assistant Clerk Karen Pickering, who will retire at the end of the school year after 35 years of service.

Elementary Principal Kevin Meredith reported minor changes in current enrollment numbers and reminded attendees that the district will transition to a four-day school week beginning the last week of January. Meredith also discussed an upcoming elementary ski trip scheduled for next month, noting transportation costs are being covered by the McGowan Foundation.

High School Principal Dr. Heidi Fettinger addressed campus safety programs conducted during the district’s Professional Readiness and Improvement (PRI) training day. Training includes fire drills and school safety procedures. A guest speaker from the Montana Office of Public Instruction will present on the effects of stress on the developing brain and the importance of recognizing potential threats.

Fettinger also noted the district’s music program has ended but expressed hope it will be reinstated next year.

Kujala shared encouraging news regarding football participation, stating that between 15 and 20 students have expressed interest in joining the team for the 2026-27 school year.

Under new business, Gwyn Andersen of ANB Consulting in Kalispell presented an overview of the district’s budget. Andersen has been working with new business manager Maren Winkler and reported the budget is currently stable. She discussed the district’s transition to new accounting software, Black Mountain, and expressed concern over declining enrollment.

If enrollment continues to decrease for the 2026-27 school year, Andersen warned the district may face potential program cuts or need to seek voter approval for a school levy.

“You can’t continue with the money that you have,” Andersen said.

Andersen recommended that all transfers of funds between accounts require board approval. The board unanimously approved the recommendation.

Personnel additions were also approved, including Whitney Tanner-Spurr as assistant softball coach and Clinton Weedeman as junior high boys volunteer assistant basketball coach.

During public participation on non-agenda items, local resident JoAnn Baker raised concerns regarding the district’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funds. Baker said she submitted documentation outlining the district’s allocation and expenditures.

“Plains School District was allocated $1,382,723 in ESSER III funding, but the reported expenditures total $781,548.71,” Baker said. “That leaves $601,174.29 unaccounted for. The public should be aware of how that money was spent.”

Baker described the discrepancy as unacceptable and urged the board to address the issue.

More than 30 people attended the January school board meeting.

    Plains resident JoAnn Baker speaks during public comment about how the school district tracks and spends Esser III funds. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Gwyn Andersen, a consulting agent for ANB Consulting out of Kalispell, gives an extensive overview of the Plains District finances during the January School Board meeting. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)