Flautau earns regional award

Mark Flautau has been named the superintendent of the year for the Northwest Region of the Montana Association of School Superintendents.

Flatau was selected by his peers in the Northwest Region based on qualities in the areas of leadership, communication, professionalism and community involvement. He will be up for consideration as the Montana Superintendent of the Year to be announced Oct. 19-20.

Flatau joined Kalispell Public Schools in 2014 from his previous position as superintendent of Cle Elum-Roslyn School District in Washington.

Flatau said he was surprised, but honored to have been given the award.

“Knowing our Northwest group is made up of very capable people, certainly the honor could have gone to any one of them,” Flatau said.

One of the highlights of his tenure has been the passage of elementary and high school district bonds totaling $54 million by voters in October 2016 to address overcrowding and aging infrastructure.

“I think we have also continued to gain the trust and support of the community,” Flatau said.

The district is also undergoing a redistricting process in preparation for the new elementary to open in 2018.