Kootenai Classical Academy - Headmaster Search
Frequently Asked Questions for Families
The Board of Directors of Kootenai Classical Academy is conducting a search for a Headmaster to lead our school beginning in the 2026–27 school year. We understand that any leadership transition raises questions, and we want to provide our families with as much transparency as possible. Below are answers to questions we have received from the community.
If your question is not addressed here, please reach out to the Board at BoardofDirectors@kootenaiclassical.org.
Why is the school searching for a new Headmaster?
Our founding documents, including KCA's Charter, Bylaws, and Board policies, charge the Board with the responsibility of hiring, evaluating, and ensuring the right leadership is in place for the school. The Board takes this responsibility seriously and is casting a wide net to develop a pool of highly qualified applicants.
Who is leading the school right now?
Mrs. Krystal Hansen was selected by the Board to serve as interim headmaster and to manage the school’s daily operations.
Will there be any changes to the curriculum or the classical education model?
No. KCA’s classical, content-based curriculum is defined by our charter and guided by our curriculum status with Hillsdale College’s Barney Charter School Initiative. The curriculum is embedded in our founding documents, our teacher training, and our institutional commitments. Families should expect the same rigorous classical education for which they chose KCA.
Will my child’s teachers be returning next year?
Staffing decisions for the 2026–27 school year are being finalized through the normal process. After hiring the new Headmaster, he or she will review staffing needs and provide recommended contracts to the Board for approval. The Board values our faculty and is committed to retaining the talented educators who make KCA’s classrooms excellent.
Is KCA financially stable?
Yes. KCA’s finances are sound. As a public charter school, our funding comes primarily from state appropriations based on enrollment, and our enrollment remains strong. The Board actively oversees the school’s financial position and the school’s finances are subject to an independent annual audit according to Idaho code § 33-701(6). A leadership transition does not affect the school’s funding or financial health.
Is the school at risk of closing?
Absolutely not. KCA has a strong and growing enrollment, dedicated faculty, engaged families, and a Board of Directors committed to the school’s long-term success.
Does this affect KCA’s charter or accreditation?
No. KCA’s charter with the Idaho Public Charter School Commission is secure. Charter authorization is based on academic performance, financial health, and organizational compliance. We remain fully committed to meeting and exceeding the performance standards in our charter.
Will this affect the plan to add 12th grade in the fall of 2027?
The plan to grow to a full K–12 school remains on track. This growth trajectory is built into our charter, and the Board is committed to executing it. We will ensure that the next Headmaster shares this commitment and has the capability to lead the school through that milestone.
Will enrollment or the waitlist be affected?
Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year is proceeding normally. We encourage families to complete their enrollment paperwork on the regular timeline. If you have specific enrollment questions, please contact the school office.
What qualifications is the Board looking for?
The Board is seeking a leader with a deep personal commitment to classical education, strong administrative experience, high moral character, and excellent communication skills. Candidates must hold (or be eligible for) an Idaho administrator certificate and have a proven track record of leading a school with academic rigor and a healthy institutional culture. The full job ad, with further description, is available on the school website at kootenaiclassical.org.
What is the timeline for hiring?
The Board is accepting applications through June 15, 2026 with the goal of having a new Headmaster hired by July 1, 2026 to allow adequate preparation for the 2026–27 school year. However, finding the right person is more important than meeting a specific date. The Board will keep families informed of meaningful milestones in the search process.
How can I be confident the Board will find the right person?
The Board takes this responsibility seriously. We are conducting a thorough, multi-stage search that includes a detailed application, multiple interviews, reference checks, verification of credentials and work history, and understanding the candidate’s commitment to classical education. We are also drawing on the resources of Hillsdale College’s Barney Charter School Initiative, which supports schools in identifying mission-aligned leaders.
Will the new Headmaster be committed to classical education?
This is non-negotiable for the Board. Every member of this Board chose to serve KCA because of its classical mission. We will not hire a Headmaster who does not have a deep, genuine commitment to classical education including the Great Books, the liberal arts tradition, and the formation of virtue. This is the foundation of who we are, and it is not changing.
Will the school’s approach to technology-free learning and virtue formation continue?
Yes. KCA’s commitment to a technology-free learning environment and the active cultivation of virtue are defining characteristics of our school. These commitments are rooted in our charter and our educational philosophy, and the Board will ensure they remain central to KCA’s identity under new leadership.
How will the Board communicate updates about the search?
The Board will provide updates through the school’s official communication channels: email from the school, the school website, and the official newsletter. We will communicate when there are meaningful developments to share. We ask families to rely on these official sources rather than secondhand information or social media speculation.
Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?
For questions about the Headmaster search or the leadership transition, please email the Board directly at BoardofDirectors@kootenaiclassical.org. For day-to-day school matters, please continue to contact the school office or your child’s teacher through the normal channels.
What can I do as a parent to support the school during this time?
The most important thing you can do is continue to be an engaged KCA family. Send your children to school ready to learn. Support their teachers. If you hear rumors or speculation, direct people to the information on this page or other official sources. KCA is strong because of its families, and your continued commitment is the most powerful thing you can offer during this transition.
How can parents and community members help spread the word about this opening?
One of the most powerful things our community can do right now is help the Board reach the right candidate. The best school leaders are often not actively searching job boards, they're leading well where they are, and it takes a personal connection or a trusted recommendation to bring an opportunity like this to their attention.
Here's how you can help:
Share the job posting with anyone in your network who has a background in classical education, school leadership, or both. Think broadly: former teachers, college professors, leaders at other classical or private schools, homeschool community leaders, church and civic contacts, and friends or family members in education. The full posting is available at kootenaiclassical.org, and applications can be directed to BoardofDirectors@kootenaiclassical.org.
If you have connections with other classical school communities, please share this opportunity within those circles. Our ideal candidate will come from, or be deeply familiar with, the classical education tradition, and word-of-mouth within that community is often more effective than any job board.
When sharing this opportunity, feel free to speak from your own experience about what makes KCA special, its mission, its families, its faculty, and the community of Post Falls and North Idaho. The right candidate isn't just choosing a job; they're choosing a community and a calling. Your authentic voice as a KCA parent is the most compelling recruitment tool we have.