Jarvi a lifelong educator in Whitefish district

Pat Jarvi has spent much of her life involved in education. It’s a role she hopes to continue as she runs for re-election to the Whitefish School Board.

“I enjoy being connected to the schools,” she said. “I want to attempt to make sure kids have the greatest opportunity at education possible.”

Jarvi served as a librarian in Whitefish before retiring with 25 years in the district working at all three schools. She attended school in Whitefish and has spent most of her life here. She graduated from the University of Montana with both a bachelor’s and master’s in education.

Jarvi has spent 11 years on the board and says she would like to continue serving the district.

“There are so many exciting things going on,” she said. “We have the new high school building. We are looking at new methods of improving instruction. There’s excitement and energy with a new superintendent. It’s an interesting time to be on the board.”

Education continues to change, Jarvi noted.

“My goals primarily are to make sure that the changes that need to happen take place and the kind of education we are giving is about critical thinking and collaboration,” she said. “Students need to be able to function in a world that is much different than what their parents entered outside of school.”

Jarvi admits that it would be nice to be on the board when the new high school is completed. She served on the board when two previous levies for a high school failed.

“We’ve worked so hard to get the levy to pass,” she said. “It’s nice to see it finally come to fruition. I would like to see the whole process happen.”

Jarvi, while she doesn’t have a construction background, feels she offers value to the district as it constructs a new high school.

“I have years of experience as a board member listening to what teachers want and need in a new school,” she said. “I know what we need and don’t want. I know that we need flexible classrooms and multiuse learning spaces.”

Jarvi said she will rely on construction experts for their expertise, but she understands the “philosophy of what’s needed in a new school.”

On technology, she said, the district is beginning to increase its use of technology and embrace a world where textbooks aren’t the only way to learn.

“We need to be not just learning technology, but using it as a tool in the classroom,” she said.

Jarvi said her background also gives her knowledge about managing a school budget.

“Budgeting is a major issue,” she said. “The state legislature has not adequately funded education and enrollment impacts us. After fixed costs such as salaries, there’s not much discretion. We have to put a lot of effort into making sure that our programs are worthwhile and that every expenditure is examined.”

Jarvi says enrollment levels in Whitefish have leveled off and hopes that the new school will help the district retain some students it might have otherwise lost.

“Declining enrollment is a concern if it’s happening for reasons other than natural such as families leaving the valley for work,” she said. “If students are leaving other than that, it’s important for us to know why.”