Battle Ground Public Schools has announced administrative changes for the 2022-23 school year.
Kelly Gorby will be the new principal at Yacolt Primary School. As the former assistant principal in Yacolt, Gorby will take Lynnell Tsugawa-Murray’s place, who accepted a director position in the district office.
Eric Sakshaug will be the new principal at Laurin Middle School. Sakshaug was previously the assistant principal at Laurin for the past school year, stated the release. He will replace Travis Drake, who also accepted a director position in the district office.
Lisa Ferguson-Hipolito was chosen as the new assistant principal at Yacolt Primary School. Ferguson-Hipolito will take Gorby’s place. The release stated Ferguson-Hipolito previously served as a learning support programs coordinator with the district.
Angela Sauser will serve as the new assistant principal at Pleasant Valley Middle School, the release stated. Sauser will replace Anna Leeper, who took on a new position in special services at the district office. She was formerly the assistant principal of Amboy Middle School.
Lori Walker will replace Sauser as Amboy Middle School’s assistant principal. Walker was previously the assistant principal at Glenwood Heights Primary, the release stated.
Jen Havig was chosen to replace Walker’s position as assistant principal. Havig was previously an English teacher at Prairie High School and also served as an administrative intern, according to the release.
Kelly Hart will serve as Prairie High School’s new assistant principal. Hart will take over for Lindsay McQuiston, who accepted a job outside of the district, the release stated. Hart formerly served as an assistant principal in the Gresham-Barlow school district.
Kelsey Kai will be the new assistant principal at Laurin Middle School. Kai previously served as an administrative intern, as a fifth grade teacher and temporary assistant principal at Laurin Middle School, the release stated.
Colin Rush was selected as the new assistant principal at Captain Strong Primary School, pending board approval, stated the release. Rush will replace Neil Varble, who took a position in another district. The release stated Rush previously served as the dean of students at Prairie High School.
In other administrative changes, David Kennedy will take on the role of executive director of school improvement, which the release stated is part of a restructuring initiated by the retirement of Dr. Jill Smith, the executive director of federal programs and instructional support services. The release stated the restructuring will help the district achieve its goals of “providing high-quality instruction and safe and caring environments for all students.” Kennedy previously served as the director of school improvement. His other duties will be handled by Tsugawa-Murray, the release stated.
Tsugawa-Murray will be the district’s new director of federal programs after the restructuring of positions previously held by Smith and Kennedy, the release said.
Tamra Scheetz was named the director of instructional interventions. Scheetz will replace Sandy Mathewson, who took a position outside of the district, the release stated.
Kellie Clay was chosen as the director of special services. Clay was previously the assistant director of special services, according to the release.
Travis Drake will fill a new position as the director of instructional leadership for the district’s high schools and ALEs, the release stated.
Luke LeCount was chosen to replace Angela Allen as the director of instructional leadership for the district’s six middle schools, the release stated. LeCount previously served as the principal at Jefferson Middle School in the Vancouver Public Schools district.
