The Great Falls Public Schools board adopted its process during the Aug. 17 meeting for the annual superintendent review process.

School board policy requires that the board evaluate, at least annually, the superintendent’s performance using standards and objectives developed by the superintendent and the board that are consistent with the district’s mission and goals.

GFPS board completes Hoyer’s second annual superintendent evaluation

The board sets a specific time for a formal evaluation session and the months-long process includes a community survey.

“The ongoing role of trustees is to articulate and communicate expectations for the
superintendent. It is better to check on the understanding of expectations and priorities on a
regular basis, than to wait for a year and discover that the superintendent/trustees/district were
not in agreement. Using formative feedback over the course of the year will provide an up-to-date
reading of performance of the superintendent and the trustees,” according to the board’s meeting documents.

GFPS board completes Hoyer’s first evaluation as superintendent [2025]

The process aligns with the district’s three-year strategic plan and will follow this timeline:

• August: superintendent evaluation process and instrument approved by board; superintendent goal-setting for new school year
• September: first formative assessment meeting with board chair and evaluation committee chair
• November: second superintendent self-assessment
• December: second formative assessment meeting with board chair and evaluation committee chair
• January: trustees complete the evaluation form in a Google document, board completes its evaluation of the superintendent’s performance. Each goal is linked to an initiative, with the superintendent’s individual goal and self-assessment available to help each trustee weigh progress; community is asked for input
• February: board members discuss superintendent’s evaluation with her individually; the board chair determines if the superintendent’s right to privacy outweighs the pubilc’s right to know for their discussion and may conduct this portion in closed session; board takes formal action in the open public board meeting
• March: summary of the evaluation will be made available to the public

In March, the board gave Hoyer a positive review and there were no changes to her contract as a result of the evaluation.

GFPS board selects Heather Hoyer as next superintendent [2024]

In 2024, the board approved a three-year contract for Hoyer with a starting salary of $175,000.

She assumed the role of superintendent on July 1, 2024.