City School principal moving on

After 17 years with West Valley School District, Tom Moore has accepted a job as the assistant superintendent for Great Falls Public Schools, a district with more than 11,000 students in Montana. He’ll start his new job this summer.

“Leaving the district is bittersweet but I’m looking forward to the new opportunity. It’s been a real pleasure to serve this district,” said Moore.

Moore began his career at West Valley in 1990 serving as the vice principal at Centennial Middle School. From 1992 through 1999 he was principal at Ness Elementary School, before becoming the director of the Outdoor Learning Center. He has spent the last year and a half as West Valley City School’s principal.

Moore said his wife’s parents live in Great Falls and his parents spend part of the year in Montana. That was part of the decision to accept the new job. “This way we can be closer to them,” said Moore, “It’s a beautiful part of the country.”

Moore said that when Dave Smith, West Valley superintendent at the time, gave him the opportunity and resources to develop the district’s one-of-a-kind Outdoor Learning Center “it was a dream come true.”

The Outdoor Learning Center is a 3.5-acre wilderness lab, complete with a hawk and owl sanctuary and wetlands near Pasadena Park Elementary School.

Teachers and students from all over the area are given an opportunity to experience an outdoor setting while developing an appreciation for wildlife and nature.

“Hopefully it will be around for a long, long time so lots of kids will be able to experience that kind of learning,” said Moore.