The Whitefish School Board will consider appointing an interim superintendent for the 2026/27 school year after contract negotiations fell through with its selected finalist.

The board recently discontinued the superintendent search following a failed negotiation with Dr. Jenny Fee of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  

A breakdown in communications arose because the candidate did not disclose salary and benefits expectations, said Board Chair Elizabeth Pitman at a work session Thursday evening.  

“Throughout an extensive search process, the district was fully transparent regarding our compensation parameters and made multiple good faith attempts to establish mutual expectations,” Pitman said. “The district expended a great deal of time and effort in this process and the outcome is very disappointing.” 

The board began organizing for the search in November 2025 after current Superintendent Dave Means announced his intent to retire. The district hired consulting firm McPherson and Jacobson LLC to initiate the search and narrow down finalists. On March 4 and 5, the district hosted community meet and greets and in person interviews for three finalists. 

Fee has been the assistant superintendent of instructional services for Kent Independent School District in Michigan since August 2024. Previously, Fee was the superintendent of St. Joseph Public Schools. 

Former Fair-Mont-Egan School superintendent Brandy Carlenzoli and Flathead High School Principal Michele Paine also interviewed as finalists for the Whitefish position. 

Editor Kelsey Evans can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support.