Superintendent Arntzen Statement on Passing of Jan Cahill

• June 08 2021

HELENA - Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen issued the following statement on the passing of Vaughn Schools Superintendent and Great Falls School Board Chairman Jan Cahill today:

"Jan Cahill was an innovator, a world-class educator, and a leader in the Montana education community.  Throughout his time as Superintendent in Vaughn, coupled with his previous service as Interim Superintendent in both Denton and Arrowhead Schools, Jan touched so many lives in a positive manner.  His enthusiasm for helping every child reach their full potential was infectious, and his commitment to education in the state of Montana was legendary.  He was always a voice of calm and solid reasoning throughout his tremendous career.

Perhaps Jan’s greatest attribute was that he genuinely liked people.  He never judged, he knew how to listen, and as a result, he always found a way to bring people together.  Furthermore, his service to the Great Falls community on the School Board over the past 16 years demonstrate his passion for improving the lives of those around him. 

I recently saw Jan on a Zoom meeting at the end of May as he was preparing to become the new director of the Montana Small Schools Alliance this summer. I know he would have continued doing great things in this new role, just as he has done through his work on the Montana School Boards Association Board of Directors.

Our Montana education community will miss Jan dearly.  I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Angela, as well as his children, Robert and April."  

###

Contact:

Chris Averill, Communications Director, 406-444-3449