Superintendent social
A social hour was held Monday night in Plains school cafeteria for members of the public to come and meet the four finalists in the running to become the new superintendent of Plains Schools.
Following the social on Monday evening was the first round of interviews for two of the candidates. The second round was held Tuesday evening. Anyone interested in watching the interviews, run by the Plains school board and the Montana School Board Association, was welcome to stay.
This was Marilyn Flammang’s first time visiting the town of Plains. Flammang is currently completing her first year as Principal at the Gardiner Public School District in Gardiner, Mont. In addition, Flammang has four years experience as a principal and 16 years of teaching experience.
Flammang said she wanted a change from being principal and jumped at the opportunity to apply for the superintendent position and likes the idea that Plains is similar to the various locations she has taught at in Wyoming and Montana as it is not too big or too small. Flammang said she would bring a wide variety of experience to the position and has a background in running a business. She feels running a school is similar to running a business, except the kids are the ones who come first.
“I have never been to Plains before this interview and I drove around and talked to some community members to see what they are looking for because I want to make sure I am a good fit for them,” said Flammang. “I’m here for the kids and that’s my number one concern. I want to make sure they have a very strong school for kids and a strong community-type staff and that’s the kind of school I’m looking for.”
Thom Chisholm currently serves as the Plains School District’s Industrial Arts teacher and has been with the district for the past 17 years. In addition, he serves as the Plains Junior High School football coach and as a volunteer advisor for the Montana Masonic Foundation.
Chisholm is the sixth generation of his family to live in Sanders County and was born and raised in Hot Springs. He decided to take the next step in education and run for the position of superintendent and has taken on leadership roles outside of education and is now ready to take on a leadership role within the schools.
“I have a long history in the county. I know all of these students personally, their parents, great grandparents, but also I’m pretty strong when it comes to the
understanding of public education in Plains and Sanders County,” said Chisholm stressing that his background with the community will benefit the schools should he become superintendent. Chisholm said he also plans to build positive public relations between the school and the community as superintendent.
Terry Falcon is familiar with town of Plains and immediately jumped on the opportunity to apply for the superintendent position when he saw it open up.
Falcon is currently completing his first year as superintendent for the Brockton School District in Brockton, Montana. Prior to this position, he worked as principal of Alberton Public Schools for two years. He also has seven years teaching experience in Missoula and Florence.
“I’m kind of a hands on kind of guy and a team player and I like working with people and whatever things they want to develop I will work with them, the community, the staff, everyone,” said Falcon.
Falcon said he was extremely pleased to be offered the chance to interview for the position. He also said as superintendent he would not have any intention of making changes unless something needed to be fixed and preferably any changes would “always be for the better.”
The final person being interviewed for the position is George Linthicum who has served as a superintendent for the past 16 years in Minnesota, Montana and Wyoming. For the past three years he has been with the Target Range School District, serving as superintendent. He is also qualified to work as a teacher in grades kindergarten through twelve.
“I’ve heard good things about the Plains School District and knew people who have worked here in the past and thought I would check it out, let them check me out and see if it’s a match,” said Linthicum.
Linthicum believes his broad background in education and passion for education make him a good candidate for the position.
“I sincerely believe children are the future of the world and I like being a part of it,” said Linthicum.
If anyone would like to share their comments on the superintendent candidates can contact a member of the Plains School Board. Depending on the interviews, a new superintendent could be selected in the coming weeks.