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Two finalists interviewed for Noxon superintendent job; candidates emphasize community, PLCs and wellness
Summary
The board interviewed two finalists for Noxon superintendent: Tracy Park Anderson highlighted grant work, Marzano curriculum experience and PLCs; the other finalist (named in a subsequent motion as Jim Malcolm) emphasized long superintendent experience, wellness programs and community engagement.
Noxon School District trustees conducted interviews with two finalists for the superintendent post and held brief public and board discussion before authorizing a separate motion to have the Montana School Boards Association extend an offer to one candidate.
Tracy Park Anderson told trustees she grew up in a rural community and said she values the small‑town role schools play as community centers. Anderson described experience working with Marzano consultants on curriculum and assessment, setting up professional learning communities and implementing multi‑tiered systems of support. She said she has written multiple grants and cited a $1,000,000 grant for a 250‑student school as an example of previous work to upgrade literacy programming. "I grew up in a rural community... I've worked right alongside of Marzano consultants," Anderson said.
The other finalist (identified later in the meeting and in the board motion as Jim Malcolm) described more than two decades as a superintendent. He said surviving and leading through the COVID years was a defining example of steering a district through resistance and change, and he emphasized staff wellness, building positive culture and clear communication with stakeholders. "My biggest overcoming resistance would be surviving COVID," he said, adding that wellness programs and visible staff support helped change school culture in his previous district.
Board members asked a standard set of 11 questions about impressions, change management, budgeting, staff development and evaluation; each candidate described plans for stakeholder engagement, professional development and focusing decisions on student outcomes. Both candidates stressed listening and relationship building during their initial 100‑day approaches.
The interviews concluded with a public meet‑and‑greet; later in the meeting the board voted to authorize MTSBA to extend an offer to Jim Malcolm and continue contract negotiations subject to background checks and any required retirement‑system approvals.
