The MCPS School Board voted 9-1 for Apostle over three other candidates. The decision came after a whirlwind two days of interviews and tours. Montana School Boards Association director Bob Vogel said Apostle had given a verbal agreement.
“I reached him tonight and he said he was absolutely thrilled by the news and was very much willing to accept the position in Missoula,” Vogel said. “We need to get together in the next two or three days to talk about contract terms. My goal is to have something ready by Tuesday.”
The trustees spent about an hour in closed session with Vogel discussing the candidates' reference and background checks. Board Chairwoman Jenda Hemphill said none of the board members could discuss what was covered in the background reports because of personal privacy restrictions. However, Trustee Rick Johns said publicly “We did not find any glaring negative comments about any of the candidates. Nothing said a candidate was not qualified.”
Apostle was assistant superintendent of the Tacoma Public School District in Washington before retiring in 2001. He moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., as a real estate investor, but said he couldn't stand being away from education.
The other candidates included Selah, Wash. Superintendent Larry Parsons, Townsend Superintendent Brian Patrick and Anaconda Superintendent James Whealon.
Trustee Jim Sadler moved to hire Apostle after saying he was the best man to face difficult times ahead.
“We're heading into severe financial problems, particularly with the high school budget,” Sadler said. “There are going to be employees moved around. I want someone who can create a smoother transition. I'm not looking for an authoritative type of administrator. Dr. Apostle would be the one who could serve us best in that fashion.”
“There's information that Bob Vogel presented to us that answered questions I had,” Trustee Toni Rehbein said of the background checks. “I just wish that information was available to everyone. Given that, I also support Dr. Apostle for this position.”
Trustees Joe Toth, Nancy Hirning, Nancy Pickhardt, Scott Bixler, Debbie Dupree and Johns joined Sadler and Rehbein in supporting Apostle. Trustees Tom Orr and Drake Lemm did not attend the interviews or the final deliberations.
Only Hemphill broke ranks. She said she liked Parsons particularly for his experience with Native American students, coaching principals and innovative programs.
“In speaking about excitement and enthusiasm, that's what comes to mind in speaking about Dr. Apostle,” Hemphill said. “But I'm still uncomfortable with the number of years (he's been) away from education, if he's kept current with the literature, and how much elementary experience he had. He seemed very focused on high schools.”
Missoula Education Association President Jack Sturgis said he found both Apostle and Parsons good candidates, but preferred Parsons. The teacher's union leader shared Hemphill's concern about Apostle's break from school experience during the time when federal No Child Left Behind rules were enacted.
“I do not envy your job,” Sturgis told the trustees. “I think Larry Parsons is by far and away the most viable candidate you've got there,” Sturgis said. “He has sense of what it is to be accountable, not only to the school district but the community as a whole.”
Hemphill said she had been contacted by five building principals, and four of them advocated for Apostle. Johns said his community contacts were running 50-50 between Apostle and Parsons.
Reporter Rob Chaney can be reached at 523-5382 or at rchaney@missoulian.com.
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