Paulson leaves high school on high note

For the Pilot

Kent Paulson, Whitefish High School principal for the past five years, will cross the finish line of his 36-year career in education at the close of this school year.

"I wanted to go away on a high note," he said.

A Plentywood-native, Paulson worked in the Troy and Great Falls school districts before coming to Whitefish in 1995. He started here as assistant principal before moving into the principal's office. And while many kids saw him around the halls and a few saw him in his office, he thinks he'll be remembered most for his extracurricular involvement.

"I'll be remembered as the principal who was always at dances, plays and track meets," Paulson said. "It's never been work for me to go support kids."

A one-time track star himself, Paulson takes particular enjoyment in the sport. Before coming to Whitefish, he coached track for 20 years at C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls. He's volunteered as a starter here in Whitefish, and he handled the finish line at the state track meet in Butte this year.

"From the community, there are about 10 of us who go year after year," he said. "I think it's important for the kids to see the number of us there showing support."

In addition to enjoying the fun of school sports, Paulson faced plenty of challenges with the education game. He received his school-administrator certification back in the 1980s, but he continued teaching and coaching for 22 years, an experiece he called invaluable.

In Whitefish, roller-coaster enrollment numbers exacted a similar effect on the school budget. While enrollment numbers swelled to an all-time high three years ago, today there are 200 fewer students and indications that that number is still on the decline.

"Therein lays the challenge — one day we're figuring how to stuff a whole bunch of kids into a cramped space, and then a few years later, we're fighting to keep the curriculum alive." Paulson said. "That's been a dynamic shift. You have to be adaptive on both ends."

Paulson has witnessed the entire industry evolve over the past 36 years. Things like technological advances and the breakdown of the traditional family have all had a hand in shaping the current education system.

"The one thing that remains constant is the students," Paulson said. "It's the product of what we do."

And though Paulson merely spent the sunset of his career in Whitefish, he said if he'd realized how much he'd love it here, he would've come sooner.

"I was blessed to be a part of the finest high school in the state," he said. "I inherited a great product from the great lineage of educators passing through these halls and offices. I tried to handle it carefully and leave it as good as I found it, and I think we achieved that."

Now that he's no longer tethered to the school calendar and the ringing bell, Paulson says he and his wife may spread their travels throughout the year. And while he does plan to take advantage of the extra time in his schedule, he has no intention of slinking off into oblivion.

"I've still got a lot to offer," he said. "It's not like I'll walk out of here and never return."