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Join district leaders and school board members for a discussion about planning for the financial future of BGPS schools, including budget priorities and future educational programs and operations levies. Financial stability is critical to bringing change to the district and preparing students for their future. 

This event is open to the public and everyone is welcome. No RSVP is required.

📅Wednesday, June 17, 2026
⌚6 p.m.
📍Battle Ground High School media center (300 W. Main St., Battle Ground)

Due to the format of the session, it will not be recorded. However, a summary will be available afterward on the district website. 

For more than six decades, Battle Ground Public Schools has highlighted student artwork through a district show. The tradition began in 1959, when Battle Ground High School art teacher Bob Peck teamed up with Battle Ground city librarian Florence Rieck to make the community aware of Battle Ground students' artistic talents. Sixty-seven years later, we continue to celebrate our students' outstanding artwork, as well as the efforts of the teachers who nurture and guide their creativity. 

Battle Ground High School

Daybreak Middle School

Laurin Middle School

Amboy Middle School

Chief Umtuch Middle School

Prairie High School

Tukes Valley Middle School

Pleasant Valley Middle School

Neither rain nor hail could dampen the enthusiasm on display at this year's parade. With the theme of honoring the nation and celebrating neighbors, the 2026 Hazel Dell Parade of Bands took to the streets on May 16. Battle Ground Public Schools was well represented, with music from Chief Umtuch, Tukes Valley, Daybreak, Amboy, Laurin and Pleasant Valley middle schools, as well as Battle Ground and Prairie high schools. Great job by all of the students, staff members and volunteers!

Prairie High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (a student leadership club) recently hosted a Kids' Cooking Camp for local students ages 8-12. The hands-on camp gave young chefs the opportunity to build kitchen confidence, practice teamwork and learn basic cooking and food safety skills while working alongside Prairie High School culinary students.

Throughout the event, campers participated in interactive cooking activities, learned new recipes and explored creativity in the kitchen in a fun and welcoming environment. High school student leaders helped guide campers through each activity while developing leadership, communication and mentoring skills of their own.

The event highlighted the positive connections between Prairie students and the community. Prairie’s culinary and leadership programs hope to continue offering future camps and cooking opportunities during the next school year. Follow the culinary arts program's Instagram account to see student projects, classroom activities, competitions, catering events and future community opportunities. 

Chief Umtuch Middle School teacher Beth Doughty was selected to contribute to the National History Day Researching Silent Heroes project conducted in partnership with the American Battle Monuments Commission. Doughty is one of just 61 educators nationwide and the only educator from Washington state selected to participate in the highly competitive program. Her research focus was a staff sergeant from Spokane who served in the Korean War. Learn more.

Cheryl O’Dell, a help desk technician in the district, was named the recipient of the national Recognizing Excellence and Classified Heroes Award. O’Dell, who has worked for the district since 1997, was selected as a result of her outstanding service; leadership; and dedication to students, staff, and the broader school community. Earlier this month she was honored alongside education support professionals from across the country during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Read more about Cheryl and the REACH Award.

Photo courtesy of the Public School Employees of Washington.

Each year, the nonprofit Identity Clark County honors staff members and volunteers from across Southwest Washington for their contributions to the region's schools, colleges and universities. This year's honorees from Battle Ground are Rebecca Olson, a counselor at Daybreak Middle School, and Brook Trang, executive director at ReadNW. Both have contributed to student learning and well-being. Read about their contributions.

Jonas Fridriksson, a U.S. history and world studies teacher at Battle Ground High School, recently received the University of Washington’s Thomas J. and Cameron Pressly Endowed Prize for Outstanding History or Social Studies Teacher. The prestigious prize recognizes educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching and a lasting impact on students’ understanding of history. He was nominated by BGHS alum Elizabeth McAleer (class of 2025). Read more about Jonas. 

Brad Tuchardt 

Mike Kesler

Battle Ground High School Head Custodian Brad Tuchardt and Security Supervisor Mike Kesler received the Chee Chee & Curt Bruskland Service Award from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. The award is given to individuals who exemplify service, caring and kindness. Tuchardt and Kesler received the award after donating their time to support the state cheerleading championship at Battle Ground H.S. in February. Read more about their recognition.

Photos by Northwest Sports Photography. Used with permission from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Almost 40 students were recognized during the Apprenticeship Signing Day celebration on May 19. This annual event commends students who have chosen to pursue an apprenticeship in the skilled trades. Battle Ground congratulates these students on continuing their education and taking another step toward entering the workforce! Read about the students who were recognized during Apprenticeship Signing Day.

Congratulations to Prairie High School senior Itzel Contreras Montiel. A student representative on the district's board of directors, Contreras Montiel received the 2026 Washington Association of School Administrators Student Leadership Award for the Columbia River Region. She was selected for elevating student voice; advancing equity and belonging; and strengthening school governance through thoughtful advocacy, service, and the ability to inspire others at both the district and statewide level. Read more about Itzel.

Director of Student Supports Tamra Scheetz received the District Director of School Counselors Award from the Washington School Counseling Association. This award recognizes a supervisor or director whose leadership has had a positive impact on the guidance and counseling field for counselors on a local or state level. More than 10 people nominated Tamra, highlighting her dedication to counselors and the profession. She advocates at the highest level for counselors and supports them with grace and respect.

Chief Financial Officer Michelle Scott was recently installed as president of the Washington Association of School Business Officials. She will help guide the association's more than 1,900 members from all of the state. Her selection is a testament to her knowledge, skills and professionalism, which make her a leader in Battle Ground Public Schools and throughout Washington.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Washington State Board of Education recently honored three Battle Ground schools for their performance in the previous school year. Two primary schools and one alternative learning environment in the district were among the 379 public schools highlighted as part of the Washington School Recognition Program for the 2024-25 school year.

Learn more about the three Battle Ground schools that were honored.

Battle Ground is seeking its next health services and nursing supervisor. This position leads and coordinates the district's school health and nursing program to ensure safe, equitable and legally compliant health services for all students. Learn more about the role. Position open until filled.

What happens when schools and local industry work together?

This episode covers the importance of Career and Technical Education and why programs like construction trades, welding, manufacturing and technical education matter, not just for students, but for the future of local businesses and the Clark County workforce.

Joining the conversation are Grace Child from Tradesmen Electric and Derek Huegel from Wolf Industries. Grace shares how the district’s Career and Technical Education Advisory Council helps connect classrooms to real-world industry needs, while Derek discusses the growing demand for skilled trades workers and the importance of giving students meaningful pathways into the workforce before and after graduation.

Learn why investing in hands-on education is really an investment in the future of Southwest Washington. Listen on any of these platforms:

Graduation ceremonies will be held in June. Learn about the plans for each school.

If you know a graduating senior interested in being part of this year’s grad highlights featured by the district, please fill out this form (requires logging in). 

Change for 2028: In recognition of the many ways that students achieve academic success, BPGS will expand recognitions at high school graduations starting with the class of 2028 (sophomores in 2026). Each high school will recognize the top 5% based on GPA but will not designate a valedictorian and salutatorian. Class rankings will continue to be available as needed. Learn more about this change.

Free summer meals will be available for kids and teens ages 18 and younger:

📅Dates: Monday through Friday, June 15 through Aug. 20 (except for July 1-3). ⌚Time: 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
📍Location: CAM Academy, 406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground. All meals must be consumed onsite.

SUN Bucks
In 2026, Washington families may be eligible to receive $120 per child to purchase groceries during the summer months, when school is out of session, through the SUN Bucks program. Benefits are loaded onto SUN Bucks EBT cards for each eligible child and mailed to the family’s home. SUN Bucks benefits can be used to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, dairy and more at grocery stores, farmers markets and other places that accept EBT benefits. 

Some children are automatically enrolled, while others need to submit an application. Use this online screening tool to determine whether you need to submit an application. 

Summer camps and activities
Battle Ground Community Education will offer a variety of classes and summer camps for kids of all ages. To see a full list of available camps and register, visit the Battle Ground Community Education website.

Right at School will offer summer camps at Tukes Valley Primary and Glenwood Heights Primary on Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. A state program called Working Connections Child Care may be able to help you cover the cost of this camp. Learn more.

See more summer opportunities and activities on the district website. 

Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at Battle Ground Education Foundation's first-ever Harvest Days 5k Fun Run! Run or walk a three-mile loop that precedes the official Harvest Days Parade. Every registration supports kids in Battle Ground Public Schools with access to supplies, food and enrichment activities. 

Recent meetings
BGPS’ board of directors held two regular meetings in May and a work session/special meeting.

May 11 regular meeting
The board of directors voted to approve the following:

In addition, Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Director Mick Hoffman attended the meeting and thanked the district for continuing to host the state cheerleading competition at Battle Ground High School. The event draws 8,000 attendees annually and brings an estimated $750,000 in tourism money for the local economy. "We appreciate schools being community assets and how you're using them here in Battle Ground," said Hoffman.

May 26 work session/special meeting and regular meeting
The board held a work session/special meeting to interview students for representative positions. The student selected to serve as the next representative to the board will be announced at a later date.

During the regular meeting, the board of directors voted to approve the following:

Upcoming meetings
The board will meet next on June 8 at 4 p.m. (earlier than usual due to CAM Academy's graduation) and on June 22 at 6 p.m. Special meetings/work sessions may be added at a later date. You are invited to attend all regular meetings and any special meetings/work sessions in-person at the Lewisville campus (406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground) or watch the meetings online.

Battle Ground Public Schools is making $20 million in cuts for the 2026-27 school year due to the loss of local levy funding, lack of adequate state funding and other factors. The district sought input from a variety of stakeholders as part of the planning process. Making these cuts will allow the district to present a balanced budget, which is required by law.

See how different work groups are affected by the cuts and how schools will be affected next year.

The Reflector

The Columbian

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