Chisholm retiring as Plains superintendent

It would be tempting to say this is the end of the Chisholm trail.

But anyone who knows outgoing Plains Schools Superintendent Thom Chisholm would not believe that for a minute.

Some folks are born to stay busy, even in retirement.

That would be the case with Chisholm, who at the end of this month will step into the world of retirement after three decades with the school district in one form or the other.

Along the way he has built a legacy of management, literally, that bespeaks his need to stay busy and gives credence to the notion that for this affable yet no-nonsense leader, retirement will simply be like finding a new gear on a semi truck transmission.

“I think I was born to be involved in education,” he said. “Retirement has been a thing I’ve thought about for a long time, and it’s just time to step away.”

You can sense the hesitancy, if not a hint of pain, in Chisholm’s voice as he makes such a statement.

In his 30 years on the job with Plains Schools, Chisholm has worn the hats of several different tasks. Anywhere you stand on the multi-block district campus near the town’s hospital, you can see the legacy, or rather, the marks of an employee who took it upon himself to build what others would label a legacy.

“I’ve been involved in a lot of projects, no doubt,” he said from his office in the district building that is part of the high school, middle school and elementary school system that makes up the Plains School District. Recent statistics show more than 430 students enrolled in grades K-12, including approximately 150 high school students. Those numbers classify Plains as a Montana Class B school.

“A lot of projects” is an understatement.

A carpenter and former shop teacher, Chisholm has always had an inclination to build things. Many who assume the roll of Superintendent would not consider building a football stadium press box or a series of storage buildings, in the most literal sense of the word, part of their job description.

“I have always liked building things and with the staff here at Plains we have done just that,” he said, with a mildly suppressed hint of pride of accomplishment crossing his face. “The people who work for this district are all that way in at least some aspects. I’ve had tremendous support over the years, not just from the District staff, but from the community as a whole.”

Perhaps the crowning achievement of that “git er done” philosophy now occupies the southern end of the PSD campus. After nearly a decade of planning, dreaming and putting the plan into motion, Chisholm and company built a much-needed addition in the form of a building that doubles the school’s capacity in sporting, arts and other creative endeavors. And it brought immediate relief to a critical storage crunch.

“A lot of people worked a lot of hours to make that happen,” he said. “We ended up with a really nice expansion and addition to the District.”

Chisholm shared credit with a host of district employees and townsfolk who played a role in making the “auxiliary gym” and arts center a reality while standing on a recently refurbished outdoor playground area for use primarily by the district’s 225 elementary age students.

“We saw what was here and realized we could make it better,” Chisholm said of the new playground and equipment that have been installed. “A good example of how the community steps in and helps out was when the concrete truck came to deliver cement for the playground footings. The driver ended up pitching in to help pour the concrete. He looked at me ready to get to work and when he found out the superintendent was actually wielding a shovel jumped right in and helped out.”

That kind of public involvement, he said, is indicative of the community spirit that has made his job “easier” and most importantly, more satisfying over the years.

And along the way he has done what he can to limit and control the explosion of electronic devices engulfing schools and classrooms across the country.

“There is just too much misinformation being spread by social media and kids are getting way too involved in it,” he said."

Chisholm said perspective and involvement are among the keys to controlling and containing the electronic influences today’s students face.

And that approach is basic to his overall prescription for success.

“Communication is the key,” he said. “We have to be able to talk to each other and listen to each other. I feel we have a good base in that philosophy here at Plains. Input from everyone is appreciated and the staff here is very much into being part of innovation.”

Over the years, all of them with the Plains school system, Chisholm has experienced a wide range of educational opportunities, having served as a shop teacher, history teacher and other roles.

“I have always had a lot of interest in the work trades,” he said. “I got certified in several trades along the way and being active in building is part of that.”

He was appointed to superintendent by the School Board in 2010 and said the time has come to step aside.

“I’ve always said if you do things the right way, they can be hard to do,” he said. “But if you don’t actually care about the task at hand, it isn’t hard. I have loved doing this job and working with these good people during my time here.”

When asked if a reclining chair is in his future, Chisholm laughed.

“I have always liked doing things and staying busy,” he said. “It may be time to slow it down a little but I doubt that will happened.”

Chisholm’s last day on the job with be Friday, June 30. His replacement, if that’s possible, will be Kathleen Walsh.

As he steps aside, Chisholm said he does so with mixed feelings, but that he is ready for a new chapter in his life.

“I want to do something that will help people and be good for people,” he said.

The buildings surrounding him make such a goal a safe bet.