School Board

  Jinnifer Mariman - Board Chair

Elementary Trustee

Term: 2026-2029

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Jinn was born and raised in Libby, Montana and attended Montana State University on a women’s basketball scholarship. Seeing first-hand the impacts of asbestos on her hometown of Libby inspired her to become a lawyer to help folks harmed by asbestos.  Jinn is a partner at McGarvey Law, and her husband Gabe co-owns Bias Brewing.  Together, they have a strong sense of service to their community.  They have two daughters, one at KMS and one at Hedges, with whom they enjoy skiing, fishing, golfing, and playing basketball!

Jinn joined the School Board in 2023 because she feels our public education system is our greatest public resource, which should be protected and managed with care for future generations.  Jinn serves at the Board Chair.

  Heidi Hickethier - Vice Chair

Term: 2024-2027

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Director of Immanuel Foundation

Heidi serves lending her time and expertise on the Governance, Finance and Legislative Committees.

  Carrie Eklund

High School District IV Trustee

Representing Somers/Lakeside and Kila

Term: 2025-2028

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Carrie serves lending her time and expertise on the Finance, Curriculum/Technology, and Negotiations Committees.

  Jack Fallon

High School Trustee

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Representing Evergreen, Helena Flats

Term: 2026-2029

Jack serves lending his time and expertise on the Finance/Personnel, Insurance, and Negotiations Committees. 

Tom Hollo

Elementary Trustee
Term: 2026-2029

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Tom was born and raised in Ohio before attending college near Los Angeles and law school in Boston. In 2015, he and his wife — a Flathead graduate — moved to Kalispell to raise their family.

After practicing litigation locally, Tom transitioned to in-house legal work. While work keeps him busy, he spends his free time with his wife and children, both students at Edgerton, enjoying the outdoor playground of Northwest Montana. His favorite activities include skiing, rafting, camping, and hiking.  

  Linda Kaps

High School District III Trustee

Representing Cayuse Prairie, Creston, Deer Park, Fair Mont Egan

Term: 2024-2027

Retired educator/counselor

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Linda serves lending her time and expertise on the Curriculum/Technology and Facilities Committees.

Rebecca Linden

Elementary Trustee

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Term: 2024-2027

Rebecca holds a bachelor’s degree in theoretical mathematics and a master’s degree in plant physiology.  As a parent of two children who attend KPS, Rebecca is excited to begin her third year as a KPS Board Trustee. Rebecca believes that the Board has a responsibility to ensure open, respectful communication among parents, teachers, principals, and the community at large and in using the budget to support teachers with the tools they need.  Rebecca wants students to be exposed to a breadth of disciplines and to be allowed the space and expert guidance to explore their passions both in and out of the classroom.   

Rebecca has served on multiple boards in the past, including the Glacier Symphony and Chorale, and the Horace Mann action committee.  While she will readily admit to knowing more plant names than people names, Rebecca will be reluctant to tell you about her days as a dance teacher at the famed Arthur Murray Dance Studios. We bet she still dances around as she waters her plants though!

Rebecca serves lending her time and expertise on the Curriculum/Technology and Calendar Committees.

Brian Putnam

Elementary Trustee

Term: 2026-27

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Brian is a retired Mechanical Engineer, former Montana state legislator, and former Rugby school board member.  His children have both attended Kalispell Public Schools.  One of them started her education at Elrod, and the other graduated from Flathead High School.  His grand-daughter is currently a student at Russell. 

Brian serves lending his time and expertise as the Kalispell representative on the MTSBA.

Jennifer Sevier

Elementary Trustee

Term: 2025-2028

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Jennifer is a Flathead native, parent, and community leader who has spent her career supporting children and families throughout Northwest Montana. Five of her children graduated from FHS, and she has a current KMS student. Through her work as the Assistant Director of the Nurturing Center and the Executive Director of the Montana Association for the Education of Young Children, Jennifer is dedicated to helping all students thrive and to strengthening connections among schools, families, and the community. 

  Rich Terrett

High School Trustee

Representing Marion, Olney/Bissell, Pleasant Valley, Smith Valley, and West Valley

Term: 2026-2029

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Rich Terrett is a retired U.S. Navy Finance and Logistics Officer, proud husband and father. Rich served his country by carefully managing ship budgets and keeping the Carrier Air Wing’s aircraft mission-ready. Following retirement, he brought those same leadership skills home to build 2 local successful businesses. 

Alongside his wife, Lauren,  they have 3 wonderful daughters—2 that attend Flathead Valley schools and 1 that just graduated college.  Now, Rich is eager to give back to the community he loves by serving as a trustee and smartly moving our school district forward.  In his limited free time, he loves to golf, and is always looking for someone new to play a round with!

Ursula Wilde

Elementary Trustee
Term: 2025-2028

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Ursula is a native of the Flathead Valley, is a dance teacher and has two children in Kalispell Public Schools. 

Ursula serves lending her time and expertise on the Stipend and Policy/Communications Committees.

Tesla Liebe-Cohen

Student Representative

Term: 2026-2027

Tesla, a sophomore at Glacier High School, brings a strong record of leadership, community involvement, and student advocacy to this position. She is actively involved in athletics, speech and debate, DECA, Model UN, National Honor Society, and numerous school organizations, while also volunteering extensively within the community for Woodland Ice Rink, Special Olympics, and the Brendan House.

Tesla has demonstrated a passion for public service and student voice from a young age, including speaking at a school board meeting at age 10. She is committed to representing the perspectives of all KPS students through surveys, student forums, and direct communication with students across the district. Tesla’s thoughtful leadership, communication skills, and dedication to serving others make her an outstanding addition to the Board of Trustees.