Superintendent of Schools

OVERVIEW: SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

The position of the County Superintendent of Schools is elected by the public for a four-year term.  As required by Montana State Law, the County Superintendent must hold a current Montana Teaching Certificate with at least three years of teaching experience.  Blaine County supports 8 independent school districts, of those three consist of high school districts – Chinook, Harlem and Turner, one K-12 district – Hays Lodge Pole, four elementary districts – Bear Paw, Cleveland, North Harlem Colony and Zurich, and one private school, the White Clay Immersion School.  There are also many families home schooling their children within the county.  These families must be registered with the County Superintendent.

The County Superintendent is responsible for general supervision of schools that do not employ a district superintendent or principal.  Duties include assisting and directing teachers, assisting the trustees with budgeting and finance, staff recruitment, evaluation and supervision of teachers, curriculum development, teacher in-service training and other school matters.  The County Superintendent is also responsible for financial concerns, transportation, setting county mills for school transportation and retirement as well as centralized clerical and administrative functions as prescribed by law.