Bigfork schools superintendent search down to four

The list of candidates for Bigfork superintendent of schools has been narrowed to four, and those four candidates will meet with the community and school board next week.

The Bigfork school board reviewed 19 applications over the weekend and whittled the list to the final four, who are Matt Jensen, J.T. Stroder, Tom Moore and Leland Stocker. Jensen is principal of the elementary and middle schools in Bigfork; Stroder is superintendent of Gardiner, Mont., school district; Moore is assistant superintendent Great Falls public schools, and Stocker is assistant superintendent of Havre public schools.

Moore and Stocker will interview with the school trustees on the morning of March 18, and will participate in community and staff forums starting at 3:15 p.m. that day. Jensen and Stroder will interview with the school board on the morning of March 20, with community and staff forums starting at 3:15 p.m. All meetings and interviews are at Bigfork Elementary School and are open to the public.

Bigfork superintendent of schools Russ Kinzer started Jan. 31 on an interim basis to fill in for former superintendent Cynthia Clary, who resigned in January. Kinzer’s contract ends in June, and the school trustees should have a decision by the end of next week on their new choice, Kinzer said.

The community and staff forums give the candidates a chance to meet with the public. “These are usually very interesting,” Kinzer said. Candidates engage with staff and the public on a wide range of subjects, from curriculum to education philosophy and management styles.

The forums and the final interview process can be a challenge for candidates. “They are a test of yourself,” Kinzer said. “They can be humbling, uplifting, discouraging … a whole range of emotions.”

Moore and Stocker will interview with the school trustees on the morning of March 18, and will participate in community and staff forums starting at 3:15 p.m. that day. Jensen and Stroder will interview with the school board on the morning of March 20, with community and staff forums starting at 3:15 p.m. All meetings and interviews are at Bigfork Elementary School and are open to the public.

Bigfork superintendent of schools Russ Kinzer started Jan. 31 on an interim basis to fill in for former superintendent Cynthia Clary, who resigned in January. Kinzer’s contract ends in June, and the school trustees should have a decision by the end of next week on their new choice, Kinzer said.

The community and staff forums give the candidates a chance to meet with the public. “These are usually very interesting,” Kinzer said. Candidates engage with staff and the public on a wide range of subjects, from curriculum to education philosophy and management styles.

The forums and the final interview process can be a challenge for candidates. “They are a test of yourself,” Kinzer said. “They can be humbling, uplifting, discouraging … a whole range of emotions.”