Washougal School District EPO Levy & Capital Levy Passing In Preliminary Results (Photo) - 02/11/26

Preliminary results from the Special Election show both Washougal school levies passing, with the EPO at passing at 58.46% and the capital levy at 58.12% as of 8:00 p.m. on February 10.  Thank you, Washougal voters, for your support! 

Superintendent Aaron Hansen said, “I am incredibly grateful for the trust the Washougal community has shown in approving our renewal levies. We are committed to being good stewards of these voter-approved funds.” He added, “We will use the budget priorities our students, families, community and staff have shared with the board to guide the projects and investments we make, and continue to share with the public the progress we make as we invest these resources to improve learning for our students.”

Board president Sadie McKenzie shared, “We are so thankful for your continued trust and investment in our students, our schools, and our communities' future. There are so many amazing and exciting things happening in our schools thanks to amazing family and volunteer support.”

Conversations that have taken place at our board listening tours have been greatly appreciated. These one-on-one discussions promote healthy dialogue, and help bring community members to the table. We believe that by listening and seeking feedback, we can continue to improve. We invite everyone to the next one on March 10 at the Gateway Church from 9-10:30 AM.

These important funding measures continue student program support for the next three years, and help protect our investment in school facilities by keeping our buildings well maintained.

Local levy funding supports much of the important work that the state doesn’t fully fund. The Washougal community has stepped up once again to bridge the gap between what we receive from the state in basic funding and what is needed to provide excellent school programs that engage every student.

Washougal School District Celebrates Career & Technical Education Month (Photo) - 02/06/26

Washougal, WA — Washougal School District celebrates Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month by highlighting programs that prepare students for success in college, career, and life. This February, students in CTE pathways ranging from carpentry and plumbing to culinary arts are applying their skills through hands-on projects, competitions, and real-world learning experiences.

In the 2024-25 school year, every graduating senior in a Career and Technical graduation pathway at Washougal High School earned postsecondary credit and participated in work-based learning activities. Students in grades 9-12 earned a combined total of 1,539 industry-recognized certifications. The district is building on this momentum in 2025-26 through continued hands-on job readiness and work-based learning opportunities. 

“Career and Technical Education prepares students for the future,” said Margaret Rice, Director of Career and Technical Education at Washougal School District. “Through hands-on learning and work-based experiences, students are building the job-ready skills they need to succeed after graduation.”

Student Achievement & Competitions

Annual SkillsUSA regional competitions provide students opportunities to apply and showcase their technical skills. On January 23, Liam Harvey, Washougal High School student, participated in the Southwest Washington Regional SkillsUSA carpentry competition at the Northwest Carpenters Union and placed 13th. At the Regional SkillsUSA Plumbing competitions, Washougal High School students Jose Echevarria, Evan Brunelle, and Kyle Brunelle placed 9th, 11th, and 17th respectively.

Washougal High School students also competed in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) regional competitions on January 30 at Lower Columbia College. Liberty Andelman and Jacob Larzalere placed 1st in Social Media Strategy, Breanna Hausinger and Ganguni Higgoda Gamage placed 2nd in Visual Design, Madeline Brock placed 4th in Public Service Announcement, Madeline Brock placed 4th in Impromptu Speaking, Breanna Hausinger placed 4th in Real Estate, Rickie Wright and Madelin Brock placed 4th in Marketing, Rickie Wright placed 6th in Advertising, and Angel Plaza placed 6th in Business Management.

In Washougal School District, extracurricular transportation to and from competitions is supported by local Educational Programs & Operations dollars.

Job Readiness in Action this February

Culinary Arts

Washougal High School students in the culinary arts program are sharpening their skills while giving back to the community. During CTE month, culinary arts students will operate the school’s Panther Café, present kitchen vocabulary lessons to first-grade dual language classes, use pancakes to teach math concepts to kindergarten students, and create spice rub gifts for Skamania County Fair Board members. On February 20 and February 26 from 9-11 a.m., community members may visit the Washougal Community Center for a free, student-planned and student-served Refuel meal.

Carpentry

Washougal High School CTE students will mentor fourth-grade students through a hands-on wooden toolbox project that builds skills, construction math, confidence, and leadership across grade levels.

Leadership

Associated Student Body (ASB) Leadership students at Washougal High School will lead schoolwide activities throughout the month of February, including the planning and implementation of the Sadie Hawkins dance.

Industry-Aligned Learning

Washougal’s CTE program is guided by a CTE Advisory Committee made up of local business and industry professionals. The committee provides input to ensure courses remain aligned with current workforce needs, industry standards, and emerging career opportunities.

Through strong partnerships with local businesses and industry leaders, CTE helps close the skills gap by preparing students for high-skilled, high-demand, and high-wage careers in a changing economy. To learn more about Career & Technical Education opportunities in Washougal School District, visit https://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/cte/.

Local Grant Helps Students Restore Native Habitat At Washougal High School (Photo) - 01/20/26

WASHOUGAL, WA – With support from a local grant, students in the Washougal High School (WHS) Green Team are working to transform the school courtyard into a native habitat learning space. The student-led group aims to earn a certification through the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, a partnership between the Columbia Land Trust and Bird Alliance of Oregon.

The project is supported by a grant from the Camas-Washougal Community Garden Club.

In December 2025, the Backyard Habitat Certification Program conducted a site assessment and recommended next steps in order for the green team to achieve Backyard Habitat Certification status. The Green Team will use money the student club has raised, along with the Garden Club grant, to replant the courtyard with regionally appropriate native species, remove invasive plant species, and improve pollinator habitat over the next few months.  The club will also work with the district’s facilities team to reduce nighttime lighting and incorporate educational signage this winter and spring, following recommendations from the Backyard Habitat Certification Program. 

The long-term plan divides the courtyard into sections so multiple student groups can participate in hands-on habitat restoration over time.

“Students have already done a lot of hands-on work to move this project forward. They removed old weed fabric, laid down cardboard and bark mulch, and planted native species in the north section of the courtyard. It’s been exciting to see their effort turn into real progress,” said Janet Franklin, co-leader of the Green Team at WHS. 

“They’re learning about native ecosystems, making a difference for the environment, and helping create a space the entire school can enjoy,” said Alexandra Yost, Green Team co-leader.

Through a fall plant sale, the Green Team also earned store credit donated by Nature’s Haven, a local nursery, to support habitat restoration efforts. Local donations and grants help the WHS Green Team turn the courtyard into a living classroom while modeling student-led environmental stewardship.

Learn more about Washougal School District at https://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/.