10 minute read
Superintendent
By Kristi Niemeyer for the Valley Journal
“How do you not fall in love with Polson, Montana?” asks Mike Cutler, the community’s new school superintendent. “To me, it’s one of those jobs, those school districts, those communities – no other can compete.”
Cutler was hired in February to replace interim superintendent Tom DiGiallonardo, who returns to his post as curriculum director. Cutler and his wife, Jody, bought a house in Polson in April, and Cutler took the helm July 1.
A storied college football player and high school coach, he also has a 21-year career as an administrator, serving 17 years as head of the Philipsburg School District, and the remainder as high school principal in Townsend (he also taught in Denton).
Cutler retired from his job in Philipsburg in 2019. “When you’re a small town school superintendent you become everything to everybody, meaning I was the superintendent, principal, athletic director, back-up bus driver and sometimes served lunches,” he said.
“I burnt out. I realized I no longer had the attitude that was needed to be an effective leader so I backed out.”
He did continue coaching the Flint Creek Titans, an athletic co-op he helped form between Philipsburg and Drummond, through 2020, when the Titans claimed their third state title for eight-man football.
During the interim, while his son, Kade, finished high school, he started a consulting business, and was hired by school districts to conduct Title IV investigations into allegations of sex discrimination, especially in athletic programs. He also mentored young superintendents in rural districts.
With Kade enrolled in his freshman year in engineering at Montana State University and his daughter, Sydney, working as a vet tech in Philipsburg, Cutler was ready to return to school administration.
“I knew I’d be back,” he said. “I also knew it would not be a small school where I was everything to everybody.”
Polson fits that bill. “There’re good people here to do things I was responsible for in a smaller district,” he says. “Obviously, the buck stops with me, but I’m one of those people – with my coaching background and all of that – it’s about a team and I’m here to support the team that’s already here.”
Although Cutler is adamant that his coaching days are behind him, he sees corollaries between running a school district and a football team.
“Any system, school or team is as successful as the leadership at the top,” he says. “I’m the last one to tell you I’m an expert at every part of education. But knowing I don’t know everything makes me a good listener and follower when need be.”
Cutler steps into his role in the midst of an ongoing pandemic and contentious debate about how best to keep kids and staff safe.
“In my mind COVID is never going away,” he said. “With new strains coming up, this is just something that’s going to continue and we have to get some kind of control over it.”
His recommendation to the school board is to return to in-person learning and discontinue remote learning, with options available for students who are quarantined. Teachers worked “triple time” last year, between classroom teaching and trying to educate “remote learners,” kids who weren’t attending school due to the pandemic.
“I think our teachers were asked and went above and beyond their job description last year,” he says. “I’m not in favor of doing that again.”
Instead, he’s advocating flexibility that allows teachers to help kids who are quarantined via Google Classroom or “the
KRISTI NIEMEYER PHOTO
Polson School District Superintendent Mike Cutler
see page 16
from page 15
old-fashioned way,” by sending packets home “so their education doesn’t stop and start again when they come back.”
As of Friday, the district planned to reopen Tuesday with Stage 3 protocols. Basically, it’s almost normal, with a few exceptions: schools will continue to rigorously sanitize spaces and equipment, students and staff are encouraged to maintain social distancing and wash hands frequently, and those who are not feeling well are urged to stay home.
All students are required to wear masks on school buses (a federal mandate), although masking in school is optional. Vaccinations are encouraged for those who qualify. COVID numbers in Lake County will be tracked on a daily basis, and protocols could change abruptly.
“If we start to have outbreaks we’ll have to reevaluate our masking policy,” Cutler says. “Both sides are very intense about that. I just hope if and when decisions are made people can respect those decisions.”
School boards across the nation have been at the vortex of controversies over how to reduce exposure to the virus. “I don’t know that school boards in modern history have had this difficult of a decision when it comes to the safety of kids and staff,” says Cutler.
Other priorities this year include addressing ongoing ventilation issues at Cherry Valley and Linderman schools. Some federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds were deployed this summer to address the middle school heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC). Cutler is hopeful additional funds might be available for the other two schools.
“Learning starts with the best educational environment students can be in, and being in a classroom that has zero ventilation in early September when it’s 85 or 90 degrees out is not conducive to learning,” says Cutler. “Currently, it’s not conducive to health either.”
He said the building committee has also discussed putting a “no fluff” mill levy or bond election before voters to address HVAC and school safety issues. He’s familiar with the process, having been part of three successful bond elections in Townsend and Phillipsburg.
“It would be my job to make sure we’re listening to the community,” he said. “I’m not in favor of a shoot-for-the-moon approach. I’m a realist.”
Some district schools, he adds, “are busting at the seams.” As of last week, more than 20 new students had enrolled in the district, and high school enrollment is expected to reach 600 students in the next two years.
Cutler is also a big fan of professional learning communities, a process that encourages teachers to continually collaborate on best practices and curriculum standards in their grade level or teaching area. It was a process that Polson began a few years ago “but COVID threw everything into a tailspin.”
On a personal note, Cutler looks forward to watching his son play football for the MSU Bobcats and watching the Pirates play from the Polson bleachers. “I haven’t been able watch a game as a fan for 25 years,” he says. “And what better place to watch a high school football game than Polson?”
KRISTI NIEMEYER PHOTO
Polson High Assistant Principal Ethan Bucarey visits with Superintendent Mike Cutler.
Meet. . . Chestnut
This is Chestnut. He is about two years old. He loves people and is very active. His ideal home would have an adventurous family.
contact Mission Valley Animal Shelter call 883-5312
or visit our Facebook page!
Pet of the week
Chestnut
Sponsored by Wright Real Estate Co.
663228 US Hwy. 93 Ronan, MT
(406) 676-8610
www.westernmontanaland.com 883-8970
St. Luke welcomes new provider to Ronan
News from St. Luke
RONAN — St. Luke Community Healthcare is pleased to announce that David Springs, MD will be joining the dedicated team at their Ronan Community Clinic in September. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Dr. Springs comes to St. Luke from the North Colorado Family Medicine Residency in Greeley. He completed his undergrad degree at the University of Pennsylvania and attended medical school at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC.
As a full spectrum family medicine physician, Springs has received extensive training in internal medicine, pediatrics, primary care, OB/ gynecology, and emergency medicine. Springs states he enjoys family medicine because it’s the only field in which he as a doctor can “directly impact the health of entire families and of an entire community. It’s a dynamic and highly varied practice of medicine that is always interesting and always challenging me to learn more.”
Springs’ primary interest in medicine is working with underserved, rural communities. He states he has always had a love for the West and has family ties to Montana. “So I was eager to jump at the opportunity to move to this beautiful state.”
In his personal time, Springs enjoys music – he plays the piano and guitar – as well as “all the outdoor pursuits Montana has to offer,” including hiking, camping, skiing, and fly fishing. He looks forward to getting to know the community and experience the joy of calling Montana home. “I’ve always loved the landscapes of the West and so, living in a place like Montana, surrounded by mountain and forest, is a dream to me.”
Springs is accepting new patients and all insurances. To schedule an appointment, please call 406-676-3600.
Dr. David Springs
COURTESY PHOTO News from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
BIGFORK — Flathead Lake State Park, 8600 MT Highway 35, is holding a service day in remembrance of the lives lost during the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Wayfarers Unit in Bigfork will host this service day on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Geared for all ages, the 9/11 Remembrance Day of Service will be free and involve numerous service projects at the Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park. The projects include trail improvements, noxious weed pulling, trash pick-up, and picnic table staining (weather permitting). The goal is to keep our community park clean and maintained for its visitors and wildlife. Be sure to wear proper outdoor work attire and gloves. Other work gear, water, and some snacks will be provided. Interested participants can come for any or all of the service period for family fun and community service.
If you or anyone you know would be interested in helping with service that day, please RSVP by email: william.stout@ mt.gov or call the Ranger Station at 406-837-3041. Also feel free to drop by the day of, if you find that you have an hour to spare.
Located near Bigfork on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake, this park is 67 acres in size. A mature mixed forest makes this site very pleasant for camping and picnicking. From spring to late fall the area abounds in wildflowers. Nature walks over the rocky shoreline to the cliffs are popular with photographers for an excellent view of Flathead Lake.
SEPTEMBER IS HEALTHY AGING MONTSEPTEMBER IS HEALTHY AGING MONTH H
We all want our health to last - and planning plays a big role in making that happen. In honor of Healthy Aging Month, take a minute to schedule your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. This proactive discussion with your provider allows you to review the state of your current health and plan for your future wellbeing. Don't let your care needs fall behind due to COVID. Keep them on track by scheduling your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit today! Schedule with your provider or visit stlukehealthcare.org to learn more
We all want our health to last - and planning plays a big role in making that happen. In honor of Healthy Aging Month, take a minute to schedule your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. This proactive discussion with your provider allows you to review the state of your current health and plan for your future wellbeing. Don’t let your care needs fall behind due to COVID. Keep them on track by scheduling your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit today! Schedule with your provider or visit The Heart of Healthcare in the Mission Valleystlukehealthcare.org to learn more.
