Battle Ground Public Schools

Battle Ground Board Director’s educational roots run deep

Battle Ground Public Schools board member Ken Root has teaching and education in his blood. His mother and his mother-in-law were both teachers. His grandfather and uncle were both on their local school boards. His wife is currently a teacher, as are both of his adult children, Oliver and Shannon.

Considering Ken’s deep teaching roots, perhaps it was inevitable that he himself would become a teacher and eventually go on to serve eight years as a member of the Battle Ground school board when his career led him into a different industry.

Next week, though, that eight years of school board service will draw to a close. Root, Director of District 2, announced his resignation earlier this month. His last board meeting will be Monday, Feb. 25, and his resignation is effective Feb. 26.

“Ken has such a big heart for the students and staff of our district,” said Battle Ground schools Superintendent Mark Ross. “I greatly admire his thoughtfulness and concern for doing what’s right to help students be successful. I am also appreciative of Ken’s efforts to help the district be a good steward of taxpayer monies to make sure it is going toward the benefit of students.”

With a family line of educators, Root thought there would never be another industry in his life other than one that involved classrooms. Root grew up in Huntington Beach, Calif. and excelled as a goalkeeper in both hockey and water polo. He was so gifted at the latter that he was offered more than one full-ride scholarship to play collegiately, ultimately choosing to play at Chico State University in Chico, Calif.

While majoring in Physical Education at Chico State, Root met his wife, Katie, who is now a teacher librarian at Maple Grove K-8. Root graduated in just two and a half years and taught P.E. and history in his first year out of college. Soon, a job opportunity would take Ken and Katie to Redmond, Wash., and the two have never looked back.

“We both immediately fell in love with the Pacific Northwest,” Root said. “The people and the scenery are unrivaled, and we’re so happy to call Washington home.”

After spending a decade in Redmond, the couple relocated to Battle Ground and have been ingrained in the community for the past 23 years. Their kids attended school at Maple Grove, and the Root family has been heavily involved with the local education system ever since. Whether it was participating in PTAs, field trips, or band and athletic booster clubs, the Roots were always there, doing their part to support Battle Ground schools.     

When Root’s youngest child, Oliver (now a math teacher at Prairie High School), graduated from high school, Ken decided that he would have the capacity to take his volunteerism to the next level and successfully ran for BGPS Board Director of District 2. Over the course of his eight years on Battle Ground’s board of directors, Root has served as the board’s president and vice president and on Audit and Tours committees, as well as serving as a liaison between the board and the Battle Ground Education Foundation and as a member of the Washington State School Directors’ Association Nominating Committee.

With his time as a board member coming to a close, Root will still be supporting Battle Ground Public Schools through his continued involvement with the Battle Ground Education Foundation. Root will also remain plenty busy in his role as the Business Development Manager for Rosenberger North America’s optical division, traveling to Germany and Hungary several times per year on business trips. But Root says that he’s looking forward to spending more time with his family, and playing the occasional round of golf or recreational hockey game when he gets the chance.  

“Ken will be missed immensely,” said BGPS Board President Troy McCoy. “His contributions to the board have been immeasurable, and I hope he enjoys his retirement from elected public service.”

“It has been a pleasure to serve on the school board with Ken,” said Tina Lambert, Director of District 5. “He has a wealth of knowledge, and he cares deeply about the students, teachers, and everyone in the district. He will be greatly missed by everyone.”

Root says what he’ll miss the most about being on the board is the camaraderie. “More than anything, I’m going to miss the people,” Root said. “The district employees and my fellow board members have become friends for life. We’re essentially family.”

In addition to Root, fellow board member Mavis Nickels, Director of District 4, announced her resignation earlier this month. She is resigning effective March 15. With Root and Nickels both stepping down, the board is looking to appoint two new directors to serve through the end of their terms, which expire November 2019. At that time, both director positions will be up for election in the 2019 primary and general elections.

School directors are elected, unpaid positions that serve four-year terms. Applications to take over on an interim basis are due by March 4. Applicants must be registered to vote and live in the district for which they are applying. More information about serving as a school director and the application process is on the Battle Ground Public Schools website.

Root’s advice for the next board members? Come into the position without an agenda. “The only way this works is to come in with an open mind, and without an agenda,” Root said. “You have to be willing to open your mind and always listen to all sides of an issue, but you also have to be willing to voice your opinion and stand up for what you believe is in the best interests of our students and the community.”