Battle Ground Public Schools

Battle Ground Public Schools’ board of directors recognized as Board of Distinction

Dec. 7, 2023

Battle Ground Public Schools board of directors. From left: President Jackie Maddux, Student board reps Julia Stiffler and Sora Tolley, Vice president Mark Watrin, Directors Andrew Lawhon, Mary Snitily and Ted Champine

Battle Ground Public Schools’ board of directors has once again been recognized as one of 34 Boards of Distinction for 2023-24 by the Washington State School Directors Association. Battle Ground was one of 14 boards recognized in the large district category (more than 9,000 students) and the only Clark County district to receive the honor this year. This is the fourth time in the past seven years the Battle Ground school board has received this award.

The Battle Ground board of directors was selected for its leadership of efforts to improve outcomes for each student. This work included approval of new curricula for English language arts, social studies and social and emotional learning. The new curricula replaced outdated materials and is designed to provide greater consistency throughout students’ time in school. 

“This board has collaboratively worked together to maintain district vision and goals and we are grateful to receive this recognition,” said Jackie Maddux, board president and director of district 5. “So much progress has been made in the past year to reduce educational gaps in a number of ways, including adopting multiple new curricula. This board remains committed to guiding the district forward on behalf of students, staff, families and our communities.”

“Each selected school board has shown a clear focus on assessing their students’ outcomes and exploring ways to enhance their leadership,” said WSSDA Director of Leadership Development Tricia Lubach. “As schools across the state returned to fully in-person instruction after a challenging couple of years, it is evident that these school boards have refocused their attention on closing opportunity gaps for students within their districts and committing to consistent communication with their communities.”

A panel of reviewers, comprising members from the Washington State Board of Education and various educational service districts across the state, meticulously evaluated the applications and selected those that exceeded the established criteria. More information about the standards set for this year’s award can be found on the WSSDA website.

Initiated in 2009, the Board of Distinction award recognizes districts that exceed the research-based Washington School Board Standards. School boards seeking this honor must illustrate their implementation of a specific Washington school board standard and provide compelling evidence demonstrating a positive impact on closing opportunity gaps for their students.

“Our district is fortunate to have these dedicated, hardworking men and women serving on our school board,” said Superintendent Denny Waters. “We don’t need awards to know how committed they are to making sure our students thrive, but we are still happy and excited to see them receiving this recognition.”

The Battle Ground school board that received the award included Maddux, Vice President Mark Watrin, Director Mary Snitily, Director Andrew Lawhon and Director Ted Champine, as well as student board reps Sora Tolley (Battle Ground High School) and Julia Stiffler (River HomeLink).

BGPS’ directors received the Board of Distinction award on Nov. 18 at the Washington State School Directors Association’s annual conference in Bellevue.