Battle Ground Public Schools Announces Administrative Changes For 2025-26 (Photo) -06/25/25

Earlier this spring Battle Ground Public Schools announced that Deputy Superintendent Shelly Whitten will become the district's next superintendent following the retirement of Denny Waters. In addition, the following administrative changes will take effect beginning on July 1, 2025. 

 

Primary schools

• Pleasant Valley Primary: Principal Craig Pearson has accepted a position in Evergreen Public Schools. Solina Adelson-Journey will step into the role of principal. Her previous experience includes working at Educational Service District 112 and as an assistant principal at Daybreak Primary School.

• Glenwood Heights Primary: Assistant Principal Jen Havig has accepted a position with Woodland Public Schools. The assistant principal position at Glenwood will be filled by Prairie High School Principal Susannah Woehr. 

Middle schools

• Laurin Middle School: Principal Eric Sakshaug is moving to Prairie High School, and Prairie Assistant Principal Kelly Torrez has been named Laurin’s principal for 2025-26. Laurin Dean of Students Everett Klodt also is moving to Prairie High School.

High schools

• Prairie High School: Prairie Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Stephanie Watts will become the school’s principal. Eric Sakshaug and Everett Klodt will serve as assistant principals. Klodt also is the school’s new athletic director.

Alternative schools

• River HomeLink: Assistant Principal Susan Smith has accepted a position in Ridgefield Public Schools. Her position at River HomeLink will be filled by Battle Ground Virtual Academy Principal Matt Stanfill.

• Battle Ground Virtual Academy: Summit View High School Principal Kevin Palena will serve as BGVA’s principal in addition to continuing his duties as principal at Summit View. Palena previously provided administrative leadership and support during BGVA's first year of operation.

More administrative changes

• Human resources: Director of HR Luke LeCount is leaving BGPS for Ridgefield School District. La Center School District Assistant Superintendent and Director of Student Services Lauri Landerholm has been named Battle Ground’s new director of human resources.

• Assistant superintendent: Lynnell Tsugawa-Murray, previously the district’s director of federal programs, has been named assistant superintendent. The assistant superintendent role replaces the deputy superintendent role previously held by Shelly Whitten. Tsugawa-Murray will oversee the district’s teaching and learning, as well as ensure district compliance with state and federal regulations regarding harassment, intimidation, and bullying; civil rights; nondiscrimination; and Section 504/the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some of these compliance regulations were previously managed as part of a director position that was eliminated due to the district's double levy failure. 

With one superintendent and one deputy superintendent, Battle Ground has fewer superintendent-level positions than many districts of a similar size. Battle Ground serves approximately 13,000 students. A review of eight similarly sized districts, with enrollments between approximately 10,000 and 15,000 students, showed that all maintain between three and five superintendent-level positions.

Battle Ground Public Schools To Offer Free Meals This Summer -06/06/25

Kids and teens ages 18 or younger can receive free meals at two Battle Ground schools starting on June 17. The Summer Food Service Program, sponsored by the district and funded primarily through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, helps provide nutritious meals during the summer months when children are not in school. Children and teens do not need to attend a Battle Ground school to participate. Meals must be consumed onsite (no curbside pickup).

 

Meals will be served on weekdays at the following locations June 17 through Aug. 14 (except the Fourth of July).

 

Maple Grove Primary School, 610B SW Eaton Blvd., Battle Ground

• Breakfast 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

• Lunch 12 noon to 1 p.m.

CAM Academy, 406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground

• Breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. 

• Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; Fax: (202) 690-7442; or Email: program.intake@usda.gov; or Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.