The Whitefish School Board is expected to discuss hiring policy during a public work session on June 23 from 6-8 p.m. The work session was scheduled after pushback from the community about a hiring process for an assistant track coach earlier this season.  

The district last month reopened the position for an assistant track coach which had previously been closed after the school board rejected the candidate recommended by coaches and school administration.  

The board on April 28 approved the hire of Megan Zonich as assistant track coach, effectively filling the staffing gap which coaches had said was unsafe and unequitable due to the lack of female coaches.  

The Whitefish High School expansion project is on schedule according to updates provided at a May 12 board meeting.  

More than the anticipated amount of asbestos was found during demolition of the high school gym foyer, Luke Hamman, owner’s representative reported. There were layers of historical roofing buried underneath newer layers that took more demolition time. The remediation has since been completed.  

The athletic site has been cleared. Foundation work for the bleachers, buildings and underground utility work is underway.  

Summer activities that typically use the gym and weight room will generally still have access but may have periodic interruptions to power and water, Hamman said.  

Whitefish High School graduation on June 5 will still be in the gym. Guests will enter on the east side of the gym. Parking will be available in the following areas: North parking lots, east parking lot, Along Fourth Street, along Pine Avenue, Muldown parking lots and annex parking lot.  

To assist guests, especially those parking farther away from the gym, two trolleys from Montana Trolley Company will provide shuttle service to and from the gym entrance area at no charge. Due to demolition of the event center foyer, portable restrooms will be located on the east side of the building near the entrance. One ADA-accessible restroom will be available inside the building near the gym. Following the ceremony, the traditional cap toss will take place in the south courtyard of the high school. 

MULDOWN Elementary will see a decent number of staffing changes this fall. Jessica Qunell, Nichole Smith and Demi Sullivan will transfer from Muldown to the middle school. Megan McHugh, Sadie Walker and Madison Casazza are leaving the district, and Laura Ferda, Dawn Ashley, Barb Castleman and John Coyne are retiring. Jennifer Santora will be the new principal, and six new staff members will join the team.  

Turn out for the Whitefish special election on May 5 was high, with 6,963 ballots received for the school board out of about 12,000. Incumbent Trustee Jerrie Boksich was reelected. Gloria Nelson and Karin Hilding were also elected for the three-year term.*  

The board expressed gratitude for outgoing trustees Shannon Hanson and Katie Clarke, whose terms end this month. Hanson served for 15 years.  

“That’s fortitude,” said Trustee Jerrie Boksich when addressing Hanson. “You have become our wordsmith extraordinaire, not to mention your expertise in negotiations, buses, legislation, policy and parliamentary procedure. If there was ever a question about the district's history, you could usually supply the answer. Shannon, your calm, steady demeanor and insightful input, has always been appreciated.” 

Clarke served for nine years. 

“In her first campaign interview, she said, ‘I have a heart for kids, and I just want to see kids have every opportunity they possibly can,’” said Trustee Darcy Schellinger. “Every decision she has made has proved that is her guiding line... you are a mentor, public servant and one of the best champions this district has ever had.” 

Four high school AP research students completed college-level projects and presented at the FVCC research showcase on May 8. Junior David Losee received high remarks.  

The board renewed 148 transfer students for the 2026-27 school year. 

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.

Clarification: Boksich, Nelson and Hilding were all elected for a three-year term.