Two Missoula elementary schools, Lowell and Russell will have new principals when students return to school in late August.  

Missoula County Public Schools has selected, Cindy Christensen as the new principal of Russell Elementary. Christensen was formerly principal at Lowell School and will replace Russ Lodge at Russell; Lodge became principal of Hellgate High School in early July.  

The District has hired Brian Bessette as the new principal at Lowell School, pending release from his current contract as principal of Bonner Elementary.  

Prior to joining Lowell in August 2004, Christensen served as principal at Prescott Elementary and worked part-time as special education coordinator in the District. She taught special education classes in Hamilton and Missoula for seven years prior to becoming an administrator. Christensen holds a bachelor's in elementary education from Valley City State University, Valley City, ND, and a master's in education from the University of Montana. She received the University of Montana Partnership Award in March 2009.  

Bessette's responsibilities as an educator have included test coordinator and curriculum director, and professional development coordinator. In addition to his work in Bonner, from 1997 to 2003, he taught first grade and health enhancement at Hellgate Elementary School in Missoula. He is a member of several educational organizations including the National Association of Elementary School Principals. He holds a bachelor's in education and a master's in technology for education, both from the University of Montana. He's now enrolled in the doctoral program at UM.  

Christensen and Bessette join a group of administrators who have assumed new positions at MCPS.

Tom Blakely, former principal of Three Forks Jr. and Sr. High School, is the new principal at Sentinel High School; Jane Bennett, former principal of Hellgate High School, is the new principal at Willard School, which houses the District's Alternative High School Programs; David Rott, former teacher at Cold Springs School, is the new principal of Chief Charlo Elementary; and Jack Sturgis, former teacher and president of the Missoula Education Association, is the new principal of Lewis and Clark Elementary.