Swan River Principal Loyda resigns

Music blasted out of Swan River School’s gym on May 25 for an all-grades assembly and everyone had Mountain Dew ice cream floats afterwards. The students weren’t celebrating the end of the school year, but saying goodbye and thank you to their principal, Peter Loyda.

Loyda announced his resignation earlier this month but wanted to keep things quiet until the end of the school year.

“It was a very difficult decision, but after eight years I felt it was time to broaden my future with some new opportunities,” Loyda said. “It’s the first time I’m stepping forward with my career without a Plan B in place, but I’ve always been able to find a great educational job through my years when I’ve made a change. I fully anticipate something great will surface in the next month.”

Loyda’s last day will be June 30.

He said he’s seen a lot of changes in the school since he first arrived from Wisconsin in August of 2004. Swan River has been one of the top scoring schools in the country for the MontCAS state test and the school started using Montana Behavioral Initiatives to keep their expectations similar to other schools across the state.

Loyda said these changes are what keep the staff and students sharp and “at the top of their game.” He also said that some of the school related decisions he had to make as principal were not always easy. Sometimes it meant not being well-liked when making decisions that are the best for the students.

“I think the big highlight for me is that through the good times and the bad times here I’ve always been treated with respect from students and teachers and from the board,” Loyda said. “In commercials they talk about things being priceless, and for me that’s priceless and one of the reasons I’ve been here for eight years.”

Loyda is looking for work in Flathead County and other parts of the state; his goal is to be in a high school setting and teaching college level classes or to become a superintendent. He’s even considering teaching at a university. But he also said he’s open to continuing his career as an elementary or middle school principal as well.

As a basketball fan, Loyda relates what he does in life to sports and said it’s rare for players to play for the same team throughout their careers and that switching things up in his career will enhance his leadership abilities.

“I’ve always felt that stepping out at a time when you have good rapport with everyone — students, staff, and community — is a good time,” Loyda said. “I wasn’t leaving because things are going right, it’s nice to leave behind a legacy that’s positive.”

Although Loyda doesn’t have a set plan for what’s next for him, he said people are happy for him because they see that he is happy about his decision.

Part of the assembly in honor of Loyda’s work last week included a visit from Sergeant Scott Leimkuehler who presented Loyda with the flag he flew in Iraq on behalf of Swan River School. And all of Swan River School’s students gave Loyda thank you cards as they shot baskets with Swan River graduate and current Bigfork High School student Jackson Boese.

“The way the staff treated me today is what I’ve had for eight years,” Loyda said. “I’ve seen administration leave before and there’s no heartfelt feelings. This will be a memory of a lifetime for me and I know they didn’t just put on a show, they meant it and that means the world to me.”