Sidney school board selects superintendent

SIDNEY — After an hour of deliberation, the Sidney Public School Board of Trustees voted to offer a contract to Thom Barnhart to be the district's next superintendent.

The decision came during a special board meeting Thursday evening. Shortly after the meeting convened, the board went into executive session. The trustees then moved to a small, private conference room located off the district office lobby. They were joined by Elizabeth Kaleva, an attorney with Kaleva Law Firm, a Missoula firm used to vet the superintendent candidates.

The previous two days included a series of meetings with four superintendent candidates. In addition to Barnhart, the board interviewed Doug Pfau, Superintendent of the Broadview School District; Dan Schmidt, Superintendent of Niobrara County School District in Lusk, Wyoming; and Timothy Tharp, the Richland County Superintendent of Schools.

In addition to the interviews, the candidates toured the school buildings, met with administrative staff and participated in meet and greets with staff and community members.

That process culminated in a motion to offer Barnhart the contract.

Barnhart has served as the school district's curriculum director for 13 years. Previously, he served as the district's high school guidance counselor for 17 years. According to information supplied by the school district this week, Barnhart has a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from Dickinson State University, a master's degree in School Counseling and Career Guidance from Northern Montana College and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Rocky Mountain College.

Current superintendent Brent Sukut told the Herald last month that he informed the board that he was not likely to return to his role in the 2026-27 school year. He submitted his formal letter of resignation in January and it was accepted by the board at their February meeting.