BATTLE GROUND — For the fifth time in seven years, the Battle Ground Public Schools board of directors has received the Board of Distinction designation from the Washington State School Directors Association. Battle Ground, which was honored in the large school district category, is one of just two Clark County school boards to receive the recognition in 2024. The current board is composed of President Mary Snitily, Vice President Jackie Maddux, Ted Champine, Debbie Johnson, Terry Tate and student representatives Itzel Contreras Montiel and Julia Stiffer.
The recognition demonstrates the board’s commitment to excellence in governance, leadership, and community collaboration over the past five school years.
BGPS’ board of directors is guided by core beliefs that align with the district’s strategic plan, which emphasizes creating a safe and caring environment, high-quality instruction and collaboration that cultivates trust. Key highlights of the board’s recent work include:
- Professional development through engaging in book studies, conducting monthly work sessions tied to the district’s strategic goals and annual self-assessments.
- Support for Professional Learning Communities and waiver days that give teachers time to focus on implementing best practices of high-quality curriculum.
- Approval of updated curricula and monitoring of data to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
- Inclusion of student voices through student board representatives, the district’s student advisory committee and board meeting reports by students.
- Community engagement through a citizens advisory committee, creating the opportunity to represent the range of stakeholder voices in decision-making. Regular feedback is obtained through school tours and reports from staff and community members.
“Through collaboration with district administration and continuous engagement with our community, we remain committed to creating the conditions for every student to thrive,” Snitily said. “This recognition reflects the collective dedication of the entire board.”
