The Board of Directors of Summit Preparatory School in Kalispell, Montana, today announced the decision to have Rick Johnson, Executive Director, redirect his efforts full time to oversee and promote Summit's Therapeutic Model. To accomplish this Johnson will be stepping down from the senior leadership position in July of 2012 and into the position of Founder & Director of Program Development. Johnson, who has lead the institution as Executive Director since its founding in 2001, shared his appreciation to the board for this opportunity stating: "As co-founder and author of the Summit Model, our board has given me a real gift - the chance to step out of day-to-day administration to focus full-time on the expansion and implementation of our model within both current and future programming." The board also announced that in his new role Johnson will expand his involvement in family education and staff training and will be working closely with Summit leadership to enhance and expand programming.
The Board of Directors also announced the selection of Todd A. Fiske to succeed Johnson as Executive Director to lead the school into its second decade, effective July 1, 2012. Fiske is currently the Superintendent of the West Valley School District in Kalispell, Montana, a position he has held since 2000. His relationship with Summit began when he joined the Board of Directors of Summit nearly 10 years ago, during which time Fiske has brought hands-on experience in education and school administration, particularly in the areas of educational leadership, health, vocational training, physical education, and special needs students.
Alex Habib, chair of Summit's Board of Directors, said "The Board is thrilled to have an educational leader of Todd Fiske's stature, and one who knows the institution so well, assume the top position at Summit Prep." Regarding Johnson, Habib said, "Rick Johnson established Summit as one of the nation's leading therapeutic boarding schools, one of only a handful that are fully accredited and not-for-profit. We are fortunate that Rick will now have the opportunity to focus full time on enhancing and implementing the Summit Model as part of our leadership team. It's the best of all possible worlds."
Dan Ross, parent of a Summit graduate and member of the search committee, said of Fiske's appointment, "There simply is no better candidate than Todd to lead the school into its second decade. His longtime involvement with Summit means he knows the philosophy and inner workings of the school, he's already well known and liked by the staff, and he'll be able to hit the ground running."
Although Fiske will take office on July 1, 2012, he plans to work closely with Johnson over the months ahead, familiarizing himself with the day-to-day operations of the school and interacting with staff and students.
Mark Hostetter, president of the Hostetter-Habib Foundation which has provided major support for Summit's work, commented, "Summit will strengthen its leadership in therapeutic education by focusing Rick's full-time efforts and creative brilliance on refining, implementing and promoting the "Summit Model" that has proven so effective over the last decade, and Todd will bring strategic leadership, vision and energy to Summit's great staff. The partnership of these two formidable leaders will assure Summit's growth, and continued positive impact for so many families in need."
Johnson summed up the thoughts of many, "I can't imagine a better future for Summit."
Summit Preparatory Schoolis an accredited private non-profit therapeutic boarding school specializing in compassionate, relationship-based treatment of bright, capable high school age youth who are struggling in their current academic and/or home community due to emotional, academic and behavioral concerns. Summit integrates professional therapy and college preparatory academics within a warm, nurturing and dynamic community that energizes and challenges adolescents to succeed and transform their lives. Since its founding in 2001, Summit has served over 300 students. Its state-of the-art facilities are located on a forested 500-acre campus in Kalispell Montana overlooking Glacier National Park. Summit is accredited by the Montana Board of Public Education, the Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the Council on Accreditation; and is an active member of the Child Welfare League, the National Association of Therapeutic Schools & Programs, and the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools