SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE
Grateful to School Board
When I became superintendent of the Battle Ground School District in July 2017, I appreciated many things about the district that were already in place. First, was the amazingly hard working people employed in the district office. From the front office staff to Human Resources, the Business Office and the Teaching and Learning Department, it truly was and is today a group of individuals who care deeply for students and go above and beyond the call of duty to make Battle Ground a great place to work.
I also greatly appreciated that this “can do” spirit and concern for the welfare of students extended to not only building teachers and staff but most importantly for me to a group of individuals I work very closely with, the Battle Ground Public Schools Board of Directors.
As a superintendent, it’s important to have a positive working relationship with your school board. Not only because they evaluate your performance and determine your employment status, but also because having a shared vision and direction for the district that you can agree on is critical to move the district forward.
I was very fortunate as a new superintendent to inherit a veteran school board with members who had served the district for many years. Several of our directors were not only long-standing members of our local school board, but they had also participated at the highest level for the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) as executive board members, legislative representatives and committee members. In addition, Battle Ground has been well represented for the past few years when the state legislature has convened as our board members have made sure to involve themselves in discussions with local lawmakers on issues that concern our district.
To serve on the board of directors means giving much more than three or four hours every other week to school board meetings. It also requires countless hours for community meetings, school events, fundraisers, conferences, etc. We are blessed with board members in this district who work tirelessly at a position that provides very minimal compensation because they care so deeply about student academic success and social-emotional well-being.
Because a superintendent relies so heavily on having a great relationship with board members and on working so closely together, it is difficult when a board member decides to leave their position. In Battle Ground, two board members are leaving their director roles.
Both Ken Root and Mavis Nickels have decided that their time serving on the board has come to an end. These two individuals have each served eight years representing not only their respective districts, but all of the schools and students of Battle Ground Public Schools. I can’t thank them enough for their service and dedication to our district. They have given up time with their families and spent countless hours doing the hard but critically important work of ensuring that the mission of supporting all students and staff is carried out by myself and the district office.
Mavis and Ken would most likely agree that the work has not always been easy, and the decisions they made perhaps not always popular with everyone, but that is why I so deeply appreciate the courage they and other board members have shown when making difficult decisions for the sake of doing what is best for kids.
I know that as a board we will carry on and find other dedicated citizens willing to take their place, but for now, a grateful superintendent would like to say thank you to Ken and Mavis for their hard work, insights, humor and dedication to the vision of success for all students.
Read Superintendent Ross’ past columns:
2018-19 School Year
September 2018: Prepping for one of my favorite things
October 2018: Collaboration critical to student success
November 2018: Communication with teacher important to child’s success
December 2018: Difficult decisions ahead
February 2019: Report card shows progress
March 2019: Grateful to School Board
2017-18 School Year
July 2017: Introducing myself as the new BGPS Superintendent
August 2017: What it means to be ‘Battle Ground Strong’
September 2017: Battle Ground by the Numbers, and BGPS serves all students
October 2017: Choosing the right path is challenging and rewarding
November 2017: Why school districts ask to build new schools
December 2017: Mother Nature determined to frustrate superintendent
January 2018: Great schools are the cornerstone of a great community
February 2018: Ready or not for kindergarten
March 2018: School security is top of mind
April 2018: District working hard to earn your trust
May 2018: Growth is a challenge and an opportunity