In addition to the departure of both principal Cathy McDevitt and superintendent Bill Cooper, School District 5 also will lose a third administrator next year - vice principal Don Hatch is retiring.
Hatch announced his retirement toward the end of February, and was accepted by the Board of Trustees.
Hatch has been involved in education for 33 years as an assistant principal, business and social studies teacher in Colorado, and as vice principal at FHS for 20 years.
"The reason that I went into education was to work with young people," said Hatch. "My whole purpose is to try to help other people as I've been helped. I've tried to do that for as many people as I could over the years."
"He's had a tremendous amount of responsibility over the years, in terms of the daily activities of the high school," said guidance counselor Pat Nolley. "His is a position of very high stress."
Hatch hopes to remove some of this anxiety, yet still plans to remain active.
"I'll probably do some traveling and go back to school to take some courses for personal improvement and enjoyment," said Hatch. "I'll take it one day at a time. I'll relax, slow down, and spend more time with my family."
Hatch said he has thought about retiring for more than four years, and finally decided to leave FHS at a time when two other administrators also have decided to depart.
These administration changes can be expected to require transition time.
"Any time that two-thirds of your administration is being replaced, there will be changes," said guidance counselor Bob Moore. "We'll have different personalities involved. But I doubt that any earth-shattering, mega-changes will take place."
"With the stability of the staff at Flathead, whatever happens, they'll be able to adjust," said Hatch. "I really believe that there are no better staff in Montana.
"Their first priority is the students."
The students have been Hatch's first priority, also.
"I'll miss helping young people, and I'll miss the activities," said Hatch. "Education isn't an 8-5 job. I'll miss watching the kids work hard to succeed and be successful in their activities."
But, he adds: "After 33 years, it's time for a change."