Superintendant Dr. Ernie Jean
Montana law requires each county, unless governed by a county manager form of government, to have an elected County Superintendent of Schools. State law allows for this position to be consolidated with another elected office. In Ravalli County, the Superintendent has been consolidated with the Clerk and Recorder.
Counties, who have consolidated offices, often contract with a certified individual to perform the duties of the office of the Superintendent of Schools.
Ravalli County contracts with Dr. Ernie Jean to perform those duties. Dr. Jean has been involved in education for a total of 32 years. He has taught both at the University of Montana’s graduate school of educational leadership as well as high school/middle school in Montana. He served as a principal for six years and school superintendent for 15 years.
The major duties of the County Superintendent of Schools are:
- 1. Act as a liaison between local school authorities and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- 2. Collect and compile statistics on schools in the county
- 3. Process all school district budgets and distribute state and county monies to school districts
- 4. Maintain teacher's registered certificates
- 5. Publish a financial statement for each school district
- 6. Hold hearings and resolve controversies that result form decision of trustees.
- 7. Act as chair of the County Transportation Committee
- 8. Abandon any district that has not operated a school for three years