Jemtegaard Middle School principal to retire

The principal of Jemtegaard Middle School has announced his plan to retire from the Washougal School District by the end of the year.

Principal Ron Carlson will wrap up a decade-spanning career at the school district, during which he oversaw the completion of facilities upgrades in 1999, and the development of community sports fields, along with changes in state and national standards and teacher evaluations.

He was hired in 2000 as the principal of Washougal High School. In 2006, he was named the director of operations and technology before becoming the principal of Jemtegaard Middle School in 2009.

Prior to his time in Washougal, Carlson worked for the Battle Ground and Beaverton, Ore. school districts.

As principal of Jemtegaard, he emphasized meeting the state’s Adequate Yearly Progress goal, something the school had worked to accomplish.

Carlson said he plans to remain involved in education and in supporting the efforts of teachers and administrators during his retirement.

The Washougal School District says it will start its search for a new principal soon. The district will open the opportunity to both in-district and out of district candidates.