During a special meeting of the Battle Ground School Board April 29, Superintendent Shonny Bria, announced that she will retire at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.
Bria, who has been with the district for 15 years, addressed board members John Idsinga, Monty Anderson, Ken Root, Steve Pagel and Mavis Nickels at the afternoon meeting, asking them if they would allow her to retire at the end of the school year. Bria listed several other school district employees who are either retiring or resigning at the end of school year, including Deputy Superintendent Diana Gilsinger and Denice Detering-Harvey, career and technical education director. Assistant Superintendent David Gray has also announced that he is leaving the district.
“It would be an honor to retire at the same time as Diana (Gilsinger) and the rest of these outstanding employees,” Bria told board members.
At the meeting, board members approved the consent agenda, which included Bria’s retirement.
“I am just ecstatic about the levy (passing),” Bria said. “It’s going to put some new footing in this district. I’m so proud of the district, we have a strong board. There is no better time to retire than when the staff is outstanding and the board is stronger than ever. The Battle Ground School District is in good hands. The community has come together, supported a four-year levy and it is now time for me to leave this incredible district. I know that the board can define and identify the very best leadership to take your district to greater heights.”
Board members voted in June 2012 to roll over Bria’s contract for another three years, starting with the 2012-2013 school year. Since Bria’s retirement will be effective June 30, 2013, board members and district officials are currently working on a settlement agreement to satisfy the remaining two years on her contract. An agreement has not yet been finalized. Bria’s salary is $154,699 annually, not including benefits and a monthly automobile allowance.
Over the next several weeks, board members will work through the planning process for transition.
“Under Dr. Bria’s leadership, the district has thrived,” said Board Member Steve Pagel. “We have been able to excel with far fewer financial resources than the typical district.”
John Idsinga, school board president, said Bria has served the district well for one and a half decades.
“We have increased test scores, created a unique strategic plan, have consistently been recognized for having schools of distinction, and of course, Interest-Based Negotiations,” Idsinga said. “The strategic plan has set the tone and will guide the district in keeping our expenditures in check.”
According to the Washington Association of School Administrators, only six current superintendents in the state of Washington are believed to have more than 15 consecutive years at the same district.
On May 2, Bria announced that Duane Rose, a former teacher, principal and Battle Ground School District administrator, will assist her and be a liaison to the school board until she retires June 30. Whether Rose remains with the district in a temporary position after June 30 has not been decided.
Rose has served the district as a teacher, principal and district-level administrator, including director of human resources and assistant superintendent. He retired initially in 1992 but returned to work at the district office from 1998 to 2005 and again temporarily in recent years.
Bria, 65, was raised in Vancouver and is currently a Yacolt resident. She also spends a good deal of time during the summers at her grandfather’s farm in the Amboy area. She began her career in education as an elementary teacher at Unified School District in Mesa, AZ, from 1973-1975 and eventually moved on to become superintendent at Pendergast School District in Arizona from 1993-1998. Bria was named “All-Arizona Superintendent of the Year” for 1997-1998.
Married to Gary Talkington, Bria is also past president and vice president of the North County Community Food Bank Board of Directors and has been on the Board of Directors of Schools Insurance Association of Washington since 2011.
