Board Members, Core Beliefs and Policies

Battle Ground Public Schools are governed by a five-person elected Board of Directors. They serve four-year terms, with three of the terms expiring in a given odd-numbered year and the other two expiring in the next odd-numbered year. That ensures experience and continuity on the Board.

Each director resides in one of five geographic divisions of the 271-square-mile district, thereby guaranteeing a geographic balance on the Board. In both primary and general elections, all registered voters in the school district are eligible to vote in all of the races on that year’s ballot. Under state law, the office of school board director is nonpartisan.

Directors are unpaid volunteers. The only compensation they receive is a small meeting stipend to offset the costs of attending meetings.

Contact Us

Send one email to all directors (Individual director emails can be found below with their contact information.).
Director group email address

Denny Waters, Board Secretary and Superintendent
360-885-5302
Email Mr. Waters

Sandy U’Ren, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Directors
360-885-5302
Email Ms. U’Ren

Battle Ground Public Schools Board of Directors

Director Jackie Maddux

President Jackie Maddux
Director, District 5
Email: jmaddux@battlegroundps.org

Term Expires: 2025

About Jackie

Jackie Maddux is an accounting manager for Clark Public Utilities. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration. Four of Jackie’s children graduated from Battle Ground Public Schools and during that time, Jackie was an active volunteer for the district. She served six years with the Prairie High School Boosters, Grad Night Committee and multiple sports teams. Jackie is currently a volunteer with the Battle Ground Education Foundation, where she continues to support Battle Ground students.

“Being able to give back to the community and serve where there is a need, all while doing something I am passionate about—it’s an added bonus.”

Mary Snitily

Vice President Mary Snitily
Director, District 1
Email: msnitily@battlegroundps.org

Term Expires: 2025

About Mary

After 38 years in Richland, Washington, Mary Snitily and her husband, Richard, moved to the Battle Ground area to be near their children and grandchildren, four of whom attend Battle Ground schools. Mary spent 23 years in education as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and educational trainer in both public and private schools. She visited classrooms and worked with school staff across the Western United States. Mary has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Washington State Curriculum Advisory Committee, WSU GEAR UP Board and two private school boards. Mary values being a servant leader and success facilitator for all students, staff and parents.

Director Debbie Johnson

Debbie Johnson
Director, District 2
Email: djohnson@battlegroundps.org

Term Expires: 2027

About Debbie

Debbie Johnson is an assistant manager at Columbia River Mental Health Services. Previously, she was a Head Start teacher and educated children for 27 years. She also worked for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and was a foster parent, 4-H leader and youth director. Debbie holds an Associate of Science in early childhood education from Clark College and a Bachelor of Science in human development from George Fox University. She and her spouse are the proud parents of four adult children and grandparents to 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Ted Champine

Ted Champine
Director, District 3
Email: tchampine@battlegroundps.org

Term Expires: 2025

About Ted

Ted Champine is a local business owner. He has 17 years of experience in the Air Force, including active duty, Air National Guard and the Reserve. Champine also holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from the University of Alaska Anchorage. In his spare time, he coaches youth football. He and his wife are the parents of three sons who attend Battle Ground schools.

Director Terry Tate

Terry Tate
Director, District 4
Email: ttate@battlegroundps.org

Term Expires: 2027

About Terry

After 30 years of pastoral ministry in California and raising three children, Terry Tate and his wife, Margaret, moved to Washington state, where he completed a master’s degree in cross-cultural education and became a teacher in Othello. After working as a middle school math/science teacher for seven years and completing his National Board certification, he took an assignment with Battle Ground Public Schools. Terry taught eighth grade at Laurin Middle School for five years. In his retirement, he continues to commit significant time and resources to the development of chess clubs and activities throughout Clark County.

“I am passionate about working with families to provide the children and adolescents of our community with exemplary educational opportunities. As parents, the call on our lives is to provide them with an education that will set them on a life-path for success.”

Sora Tolley - Board Photo 240x300 - July 2022

Sora Tolley
Student Representative
Battle Ground High School
Email: tollesor000@battlegroundps.org

Term Expires: June 2024

Julia Stiffler

Julia Stiffler
Student Representative
River HomeLink High School
Email: stiffjul001@battlegroundps.org

Term Expires: June 2025

2022-2025 Core Beliefs

The Battle Ground Public Schools board of directors believes that:

High-quality, personalized instruction leads to challenging, engaging learning environments that graduate students who are prepared for college and/or careers. The district supports instructional staff members with resources and professional development to reach this expectation.

Students learn best in safe environments that support and promote their physical, social and emotional well-being through extracurricular activities, school sports, appropriate learning resources and clear expectations.

Mutually beneficial partnerships that foster two-way communication with families and the community increase engagement and benefit student learning.

Financial responsibility and transparency ensure spending that maximizes student achievement and success.

Staff members are vital to the success of the district. Each staff member brings unique and valuable knowledge, skills, talents and expertise to their role, and their contributions are acknowledged and respected.

Student voice is valuable and should be nurtured. Students’ experiences are enriched when they are heard and supported.

School Board Policies

Board policies are stored in BoardDocs for easy viewing. Click on the link below and then link on the “Policies” tab, and then on the “Active” tab.

The information belongs to the public. While parts of personnel and student records are private, much of the information gathered and recorded by school districts, as with any government agency in Washington, is a matter of public record and open to public scrutiny. Likewise, meetings of the elected members of the School Board are open except under certain circumstances. The Washington attorney general has created a guide to both laws, accessible at: http://www.atg.wa.gov/open-government-resource-manual

Serving on the school board

The Washington State School Directors’ Association and Battle Ground Public Schools have prepared information for residents who are curious to learning more about the role of a school board member.

WSSDA’s guide “What Makes a Great School Board Member?” (PDF)

BGPS information for board candidates (PDF)

GET IN TOUCH

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Brush Prairie, WA 98606

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400 N. Parkway Ave. Battle Ground, WA 98604

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Battle Ground, WA 98604

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