John Blackman, assistant superintendent for the Blaine County School District, has accepted a position as the new principal of Flathead High School.
The school is part of the Kalispell Public Schools in Kalispell, Mont.
Blackman’s last day with the Blaine County School District will be June 30.
Blackman started working in the Wood River Valley as an art teacher at Wood River High School after receiving his B.A. from Montana State University. He became assistant principal of the high school in 2001, after receiving his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from the University of Idaho.
In 2007 he became principal of the high school and, after going back to UI for an educational specialist degree, he became assistant superintendent.
During his time here, he coached football and he made a name for himself decorating ski helmets of Olympian Picabo Street, Paralympian Muffy Davis and others with eye-popping graphics.
He served as interim superintendent for a year before the school board hired GwenCarol Holmes.
“I am grateful to him for his public service to the children of Blaine County, whom he cares so deeply about,” said Superintendent Holmes. “We should all be as committed to the success of the students of this district as he has been.
The Blaine County School District serves 3,400 students.