Heather Davis Schmidt, a former teacher and current administrator in Missoula, has been named the new superintendent of the Whitefish School District.
The district’s board of trustees voted unanimously Wednesday night to hire Davis Schmidt to replace Kate Orozco, who announced in March her plans to resign after four years. Contract negotiations are underway and Davis Schmidt is expected to start July 1.
Davis Schmidt emerged as the top candidate among four finalists vying for the top administrator position.
“She’s very knowledgeable in 21st-century type educational advancements. She has been at the helm for several innovative learning projects in Missoula,” said board member Ruth Harrison. “And she had already looked at our strategic plan and it lines up with hers. She’s just a great fit.”
Davis Schmidt has worked in Missoula County Public Schools since 2002. She served as a teacher, coach and advisor at Seeley-Swan High School from 2002-07. From 2008-10, she was dean of students at Missoula Big Sky. From 2010-11, she served as director of curriculum and Title I for the district. Since 2011, she has served as executive regional director.
Among the accomplishments referenced during her interview, implementing a five-year strategic plan and 21st century model of education for Missoula’s K-12 classes stood out for trustees as valuable for Whitefish’s future, Harrison said.
Davis Schmidt also helped establish a new International Baccalaureate Program in the Missoula district.
In 2012, she was named the Montana School Administrator of the Year.
“Whitefish is an amazing community, specifically related to its schools,” she said. “I really took a close look at what the district stood for. I’ve been really impressed by the progressive nature of the board of trustees and the staff up there. I wanted to work in a community that supports its young people, and Whitefish certainly does.”
Davis Schmidt said one of her top goals is to maintain the strong community engagement with the schools. She also wants to continue finding ways to engage students through innovative programs.
She enters a school district that has undergone significant changes in recent years.
Under Orozco, the Whitefish district successfully completed a massive renovation of Whitefish High School and overhauled the school’s curriculum to focus on innovative learning models.
The Whitefish school board also interviewed finalists Lance Pearson, the superintendent of Victor Public Schools, Josh Middleton, former assistant superintendent in Billings, and Rick Duncan, the superintendent of Powell County High School District.