Polson School Board stays in-house for interim superintendent
Nicole Tavenner
Polson High School Principal Rex Weltz will step in as interim supertintendent for Polson School District No. 23.
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POLSON – The journey to find Polson School District a new superintended has come to a temporary stop. On Monday, April 11, the Polson School Board approved Rex Weltz as interim superintendent for a one-year contract. Weltz has been the Polson High School Principal for the last four years and was hesitant to apply for the superintendent position.
“I have a really good thing going at the high school,” Weltz said. He wavered with the decision to apply even after helping recruit candidates and the first round of interviews had already been completed.
“My interest in this district is to be of help now, not later.” Weltz said during a March 15 school board meeting. “My decision to apply for the superintendent position has been, well … a late bloomer.”
After hearing about his interest in the job, the board decided to interview Weltz on March 18 during a public meeting to give the community an opportunity to hear Weltz’s plans and goals for the school district. At the end of the meeting, the board voted unanimously to offer Weltz the position.
During his tenure as principal, Weltz has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on Polson High School’s culture and student achievement, according to Polson School Board Chairwoman Caroline McDonald. The board is hoping for a similar impact with his new position.
“Mr. Weltz is working closely and positively with our retiring superintendent Dr. Reksten, as well as administrative staff and trustees to assure a smooth transition and the best possible academic environment for our entire student body,” McDonald said.
Vice Chair Chanel Lake was in charge of the search committee and is excited for the short-term fix.
“The committee has worked its final contract with Mr. Weltz,” Lake said. “I think we are all extremely happy with this outcome.”
Weltz and the current administrators are working to build a plan for the shifting of positions at the high school for the next year.
“Nothing has been decided yet,” McDonald said. “However, we are confident that we have a significantly ‘deep bench’ of trained administrators that can help us fill the gap for the next year and continue our progress of improvement at the high school.”
Depending on how his one-year contract as interim superintendent goes, Weltz will have the opportunity to return to his position as principal if he so chooses. For now he is looking at making a positive impact in his new position.
“I understand the district and feel that we will be moving forward,” Weltz said. “There will be no learning curve for someone new … I will come in and hit the ground running.”
Weltz will finish the school year as principal and transition to superintendent this summer.
