Mike Perry of Arlee named Superintendent of the Year

Superintendent of Arlee Public Schools Dr. Mike Perry, who has spent 25 years in education, was recently named Superintendent of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year by the Montana Association of School Superintendents.

“It takes a group of educated individuals to be successful," he said of the honor. "We have a great staff, and that helps with my success.”

In addition to his position in Arlee, Perry also serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Montana in Missoula where he had previously earned his bachelor’s degree in Arts in Secondary Education. He also earned his master’s and doctorate in Educational Leadership.

“Dr. Perry is an experienced superintendent who has many years working in Montana schools. His dedication to kids and his commitment to his staff make him an excellent candidate to represent all Montana superintendents as the State Superintendent of the Year,” said Rob Watson, executive director for School Administrators of Montana.

Perry, who has served as the superintendent in Arlee since 2020, also was the superintendent of the Hot Springs school district. Although he spent much of his life in Montana, Perry also spent 10 years as a superintendent in Washington where he reconnected with his biological mother after having been raised as an adopted child.

As a student himself, Perry found that teachers can profoundly influence students, and it inspired him to “try and help others.”

In his childhood Perry moved often, attending 12 schools throughout his K-12 education.

“Some schools had fantastic teachers, and some had teachers that weren’t as good,” Perry said.

Sometimes school can be a tough place to be, but it can also feel safe and like a place where students are cared about as individuals, Perry said.

Having started as Arlee superintendent in 2020, a year when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world at large, Perry noted that the school’s relationship with the community became strained during the pandemic.

“We’re still trying to get trust back from families,” Perry said. “We take their trust seriously.”

Regulations and recommendations from the medical community and federal government changed constantly, and were sometimes confusing. Additionally, during the pandemic the community lost a common gathering place, which is often what rural schools provide.

Now the community can gather for events like volleyball, which Perry is assistant coaching for his second year. Perry also drives the bus for volleyball games, explaining, “I chip in where it's needed." In this case, he teaches, coaches and drives the kids home.

Wearing more than one proverbial hat is another thing that teachers and administrators in rural schools are known for. However, staff shortages are continually affecting schools statewide, and while Perry says that teacher retention is good, the school does have trouble staffing bus drivers or custodians.

Looking to the future the school is trying to spend a $4 million grant that Perry sourced last year for an elementary school. The school is hoping to secure a building bond soon that would ensure the construction of a new building for grades 3-6. Regardless of whether the bond moves forward, the grant money will be spent on new infrastructure for the elementary students.

“They need it,” Perry said of the students.