WASHOUGAL, Wash., January 25, 2023 - Throughout the school year, the Washougal School District Board of Directors visits Washougal schools to observe impacts of board decisions and inform future decision-making with on-site experiences. Board members use the school site visits as opportunities to better understand how educational improvement strategies play out in real time, observe adjustments for student needs that teachers make throughout a lesson, and engage with students in honest conversations about ideas they have for improvement. Board members review the school goals prior to the visit and conclude each visit with a debrief. As School Board Appreciation Month comes to a close, Washougal School District recognizes the positive impacts of board leadership on the educational experience of Washougal youth.
“We value opportunities to engage on-site with students and teachers very highly,” said Cory Chase, board president. “It helps us to make decisions that best serve our students and our community.” The board gains on-site insight and experiences at Washougal school visits, speaking with students and staff while observing how board decisions impact school programs. Washougal School Board visits schools to spend time in classrooms with students and teachers, seeing firsthand the excellent learning opportunities students have in our schools each day.
“Student voice is very important to our team,” said Sadie McKenzie, board member. “Students have unique insight into school programs and policies. We enjoy the opportunity to speak openly with them.” Board members eat lunch with students during school site visits, which provides a less formal opportunity to engage with students and listen to their experiences while enjoying the chef-inspired, scratch-made meals provided by the WSD Culinary Department.
“The site visits align with the strategic plan adopted by the board, which prioritizes student voice and agency,” said Washougal School District superintendent Mary Templeton. “This authentic listening ensures that Washougal knows, nurtures, and challenges all students to rise.” Student board representatives also regularly attend Washougal school board meetings, providing valuable student insight on how policy and procedures are impacting school climate. This open communication benefits our schools and community by creating a decision-making process informed by student input.
The Washougal school board consists of five citizens of the school district, elected from director districts for a four-year term. Board members volunteer their time to guide high-quality education for students in Washougal. The Washougal School District Board of Education members are Cory Chase, Jim Cooper, Angela Hancock, Sadie McKenzie, and Chuck Carpenter.
The Washougal School Board has been recognized by the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) as a Board of Distinction two years in a row for their focus on student achievement for all learners. School improvement plans, the district strategic plan, and guiding pillars frame decision-making processes which achieve results for student success.
The Washougal School District Board of Education plans to visit each school in Washougal over the course of the year, and will be at Gause Elementary School in March 2023 for a visit.