After June 12, when students walk out the doors of FHS on the last day of the school year, principal Cathy McDevitt will leave as well - only she won't be coming back this fall. At Wednesday's department head meeting, McDevitt announced her resignation as Flathead's top school administrator.
"It was sad news for me because she does a quality job and is so supportive," said the head of the art department, Wes Hines. "I'm excited for her, but sad to see her go."
McDevitt will step down as principal in July after her current contract expires. She cites a number of reasons for her resignation, but said the decision was "more personal than professional."
"I plan to move to the Northeast," said McDevitt, naming Vermont as one of the states to which she would most like to live. "My decision came at a time when I have this fascination about living and working in this part of the country."
Born and raised in Iowa, McDevitt has never lived in the Northeast, nor does she have any family there. However, her interest peaked three years ago at a conference in Boston, Mass., when McDevitt decided to take some time to explore the countryside.
"I just drove around and I liked that part of the country very much," explained McDevitt, who was struck by the vast diversity of the people and variety of the landscape. "It stuck with me."
McDevitt does not plan to retire from school administration, but doesn't now have any concrete plans for employment. She said she plans to "get there and do some exploration."
"This is kind of a scary decision on my part," said McDevitt. "I don't know where I'm going or what I'm going to do."
This "leap of faith" comes from McDevitt's growing interest in exploring different parts of the world.
"I think she has a personal feeling that she would like to pursue some things before she retires," said the head of the music department, Allen Slater. "And this is a good time for (her) to look at doing some things in life."
"I want to experience more while I'm relatively young and healthy," said McDevitt. "I don't want to wait until I retire to do things."
McDevitt's decision was announced early in the new year to give the school board and a selection committee of administrators, teachers, parents and students ample time to hire the next FHS principal.
No replacements being considered, she said.
Although McDevitt will not return for the 1997-98 school year, she stresses that there is much she still wishes to pursue as principal.
"I regret that it's necessary to make this announcement now because there are so many things I hope to accomplish between now and the end of June," said McDevitt. "I don't want the prospect of me not being here next year to interfere with that process."
Said McDevitt: "I'm not retired yet."