Leaders of Tomorrow

Polson High School will enter a new chapter with a new principal for the 2025-2026 school year, as current principal Andrew Fors transitions into the role of superintendent. After serving as principal for the past five years, Fors decided he’s ready to embark on a new adventure. This change will present him with “an opportunity to have more connections throughout all grade levels,” said Fors. Becoming superintendent means his focus will be on helping with whatever the school district needs, ranging from helping with construction meetings to food service. He would like to keep the Polson School District on the path it is and continue its growth. Even though he is eager for this upcoming change, he shared, “I’m going to miss having daily connections with students.” It has been a highlight of his career at Polson High School to impact students’ lives as well as work closely with the staff.

Applications for the new principal became active on December 19, 2024, and were collected by January 24, 2025. The BOG (Board of Governors) were asked what qualities they would like to see in a new principal. Some of the questions they were asked consisted of what a leader should look like, how much a principal should be involved in sports as well as academics, and how much connection a principal should have with students and staff. Summer Newman, treasurer of BOG, shared how she thinks it’s important that principals find a balance between sharing connections with students as well as laying down the law when necessary. Newman shared that “having open arms where a kid can come and talk to you” is a quality she would like to see in a principal. 

The process for hiring a principal is as follows: the first step is to screen applicants, and then a hiring team will choose applicants to be interviewed. The hiring team consists of current administrators, teachers, staff members, and the school board chairwoman.  

After the school receives all the applications, they undergo a screening process which begins with the interview committee rating the applications. Things that are considered include letters of recommendation, experience, their resume, and the overall quality of their application. After the committee has scored all the applications, they decide who the top candidates are and schedule interviews.

The interview process begins with the applicant going before the interview committee and answering a variety of questions to better determine their qualifications and fit for Polson High School. Though the hiring committee makes the recommendation, ultimately, the school board decides who will get the position as Polson High School’s new principal. 

This year there were 10 applicants and a total of three were interviewed. The interview committee met January 31 to determine and evaluate each candidate’s suitability for the position. They recommended Betsy Wade, former counselor and current curriculum director for the position, and on Monday, February 10, the school board approved her hire.

Betsy Wade Announced New PHS Principal

Betsy Wade feels confident about becoming Polson High School’s new principal and is excited to implement her values into our school. Her recent position as curriculum director helped shape her fundamental understanding of all the work that goes into setting curriculums and testing; however, she missed the connections she had once shared with students as counselor at Polson High School. Her hopes for the upcoming school year include being able to help students with “post secondary planning and connection to careers.” Getting students interested in life after high school is something she feels very passionate about. Having been Polson High School’s counselor in the past, she has worked closely with most of the staff already. She explains, “I get along well with everyone, and it’s a very supportive environment.” She feels the community at Polson High School will support her as she transitions into principal and how it will “be nice to have Fors’s support as [she] moves into this role.”