Polson trustees consider options
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POLSON — The Polson School Board meeting on Tuesday, March 15 was filled with many agenda items; however, the search for a new superintendent seemed to trump all. Despite recent interviews and meetings with applicants, trustee Chanel Lake addressed the board with a new plan of action.
“I know this is not our original plan, but we have had several conversations and are confident in looking internal for our superintendent,” Lake said.
During the meeting, Polson High School Principal Rex Weltz expressed his interest in the position.
“I really believe I worked hard to recruit people here. I am content with what I have going on at the high school,” Weltz said. “However, my interest in this district is to be help now, not later. My decision to apply for the superintendent position has been, well … a late bloomer.”
Lake proposed Weltz would become an ‘interim superintendent’ with a one-year contract, but some school board members were not ready to make that decision immediately.
“I do not feel comfortable voting on this since this is not the direction we talked about,” trustee Tim McGinnis said. “This is not a lack of confidence, but this is the most important decision we have to make … we have to live with this.”
Weltz mentioned his concern with an “interim” title.
“If you have an interim label … this person might be temporary,” Weltz said. “It is not that I am doing this for myself, but the people I work with deserve better than just temporary.”
Weltz answered many questions from the Polson School Board, most concerning the “change in dynamic from peer to leader” the superintendent job entails.
“We have a good team. We sometimes can focus too much about how we feel about each other, but it is important to remember our mission,” Weltz said. “It is all about the kids.”
Weltz continued to share why this position would be a great fit for him.
“I would say that an advantage is that I have seen what works and what doesn’t,” Weltz said. “I would argue that my connection in this community is a strength.”
Trustee Caroline McDonald called for the trustees to go into an executive session to discuss their options in private.
“After serious soul searching, we do not feel like we have asked enough questions and we would like to schedule a formal interview with Rex Weltz,” McDonald said. “This is not a lack of confidence, but we have to do our best for our kids in this community.”
In other business, the Polson trustees reviewed the possible adoption of a Teacher Retirement Incentive. Teachers that are borderline ready for retirement could be swayed to retire early with $15,000 in addition to their severance pay. Teachers who would like this incentive must have their retirement papers submitted by Friday, April 1.
The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the district office, 111 4th Ave. E.
