The Whitefish School Board last week accepted a $50,712 donation from the Whitefish Community Foundation on behalf of an anonymous donor to support the high school track expansion, specifically for improvements to the long jump runway and pit. 

The board has discussed “beyond the bond” opportunities for donors before, but noted that this was an exciting, more specific donation.  

The budget for the Whitefish High School expansion is on track with 38% spent or $13,696,975. The athletic project is about 65% complete, and the academic phase is about 35% finished. The wrestling room is tracking to be complete in mid-November.  

Owner’s representative Luke Hamman said there shouldn’t be any exposed openings to classrooms as winter approaches. The athletic field buildings should continue to see progress throughout the winter.  

“Aside from landscaping, things won't stop unless they have to,” he said.  

The contingencies are healthy, Hamman said. There are generally fewer contingency uses on the back end of the project than in the beginning, and there could be funds leftover which could affect options like the field’s scoreboard choice, he said. 

Whitefish High School Principal Kerry Drown noted synergy in the community with another successful homecoming. Nearly 3,000 people attended the football game and 400 students attended the dance. 

“An especially meaningful moment is seeing the entire kindergarten class meet at Muldown during the pep rally,” he said. “They meet the senior class, stretching all across the field. It’s a reminder of the educational journey our students take through our district.” 

The “Arts with the Masters” program recently returned to Muldown Elementary with over 30 volunteers.  

“Our students had the opportunity to explore their creativity, learn about artists and express themselves,” said Muldown Principal Jennifer Santora.  

Kindergarten learned about Georgia O’Keefe and made flowers and first grade learned about John Audubon and made owls, for example.   

Student Representative Carmela Forcone commended Whitefish High School on preparing students for college applications.  

“We were sufficiently prepared,” she said.  

DECA preparations have started with 164 students looking to participate, she said.  

The last game to be played at Memorial Field after 70 years will be Oct. 23. Coach Willie Roche created collector tickets to be passed around at the game. It’s also senior night at the game. After the senior walk there will be a walk across the field of all alumni who have ever played on the field. 

Human Resources Director Sara Krumm gave a staffing update. Districtwide there are 263 staff members. Staff with over 25 years of experience account for 9.2%. The majority, 65%, fall between four and 24 years of experience, while 26% have three years or less. 

There was significant hiring last year with 55 hires. The biggest year in the past was 2024-25 with 64 hires, but last year was significant because of the number of certified staff and administrators, Krumm said.  

Ashley McDermott is stepping up from assistant to head swim coach. Barbara Genger was hired as freshman boys basketball coach and Connor Silliker is the new JV basketball coach. Kelsy Slotsve is a new assistant Special Olympics coach. There are seven coach and advisor positions open at the high school and three at the middle school.   

The district has a few key roles to fill, including two special education educators, two long-term subs and a school psychologist.  

Krumm said they have a contracted, temporary basis psychologist and that they’ve recruited search firms for the special education educators. She noted seven special education vacancies across Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Kalispell and said it’s part of a nationwide trend.  

“I’ll shout out the special education department here in Whitefish,” Krumm said. “I can proudly say our Whitefish students are being fully served, but our staff are working hard to make that possible.”