OPI Announces New Staff Appointments
HELENA—State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen has announced two senior level staff appointments at the Office of Public Instruction.
Starting in June, Jule Walker will begin serving as Montana’s Deputy State Superintendent for Operations. Susie Hedalen is being promoted to Montana’s Deputy State Superintendent for Education Services.
Jule Walker is currently wrapping up the 2017-2018 school year as Plevna’s district superintendent. She brings to the OPI a lengthy resume of service to Montana’s rural schools as well as state and national leadership positions in education.
Susie Hedalen has been serving at the OPI since January of 2017, leading the successful development and implementation of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act in Montana. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos signed Montana’s ESSA state plan in January of this year. Previously, she served as an elementary school principal in Livingston, district superintendent in Grass Range, and elementary teacher in Helena.
“I am pleased to welcome Superintendent Walker to our leadership team at the OPI. She comes with tremendous experience in Montana’s rural schools, strong state and national organizational influences, and a passion for service to Montana’s students,” Superintendent Arntzen said Thursday. “I am also excited to promote Director Hedalen. She has proven herself as a dedicated leader through developing and implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act in Montana. She will continue positively guiding school success in our state.”