2017 general election: School boards

Note: This is part of a series of coverage of the 2017 general election by The Reflector

SCHOOL BOARDS

School board races for Woodland Public Schools are uncontested, as Matthew Donald and Steve Madsen are running unopposed for their respective seats. 

The same is the case in the Green Mountain School District, where directors Cameron Tormanen, Jeff Strong and Joyce Cooper don’t have competition for their respective seats.

One Ridgefield School District director seat occupied by Emily Enquist is also on the ballot as she runs unopposed to retain the position she was appointed to earlier this year. 

Battle Ground Public Schools Board of Directors 

Battle Ground Public Schools Board President Monty Anderson will run unopposed for another four-year term for the District 1 seat. 

For the District 5 position, currently held by Stephanie McClintock, who will not seek reelection, only one person filed and will run unopposed. Tina Lambert, of Vancouver, is mother to a Battle Ground student and lists precinct committee officer in Clark County as her elected experience.  

Two are vying for the District 3 seat currently held by Jim Pegoraro, who will not seek reelection. Mitch Taylor and Troy McCoy, both of Battle Ground, are pursuing elections. 

Here’s a look at the candidates:  

Troy McCoy: District No. 3 seat 

Bio: Troy McCoy is a 46-year-old father of a previous graduate and a current senior of Prairie High School. He has been married to his wife Jennifer for 22 years and has lived in the area since 2001. He has operated an insurance business in Battle Ground for more than a decade and previously worked at a private chemical company. He holds a chemical engineering degree from Oregon State University.  He is active in the community as a basketball and softball coach and serves as vice president of the Battle Ground Education Foundation.

The Reflector: Why are you running for this office?

Troy McCoy: I am driven to give something back to a community that has done so much for me. Battle Ground has provided a place to raise my children and own a small business, as well as to be a voice for those that feel disconnected from our community.

TR: What makes you the best candidate?

TM: I believe the unique problem-solving abilities I developed as an engineer will allow me to assist BGSD to forge a successful path through the current issues our district faces.  

TR: What are your top three priorities if elected?

TM: Simply put, I want to foster transparency for our taxpayers, continuous improvement for our teachers and students, and implement concrete metrics for evaluating our district leaders. Finally, I intend to focus on the previous goals while keeping an eye on fiscal stewardship of taxpayer funds.

TR: This time last year, Battle Ground Public Schools failed to pass a bond. The board recently committed to putting another bond before voters in early 2018. Are you in favor of a bond, and if so, what needs to be done to see it pass?

TM: In order to get a bond to pass the board needs to demonstrate a need and the ability to use the funds requested wisely.  Currently the board is looking at several options, and my approval would be based on what option is selected.

Mitch Taylor: District No. 3 seat 

Bio: Mitch Taylor, a 53-year-old father of three, lives in Battle Ground with his wife. He attended Brigham Young University and now works for a company that writes accounts receivable software for government groups, collection agencies, financial institutions and medical facilities.

For the last decade, he has been 

the voice of the Battle Ground High School football and basketball teams and has coached a number of youth sports teams. He is also involved with helping the youth and community through his church.  

The Reflector: Why are you running for this office?

Mitch Taylor: There is a need in our school system to have a board that listens, that is logical and can help the community, the administrators and teachers, and the students in BGPS. I feel I can help fulfill those needs. I am not a politician. I have no personal agenda. I want to see success in our schools. I am a good listener. I am a logical thinker. I am open and enjoy hearing other people's feelings and opinions. 

TR: What makes you the best candidate?

MT: I have been in Battle Ground for over 20 years now. My children attended Battle Ground schools. My wife worked in the health room at a Battle Ground. I have volunteered at all three levels of schools — primary, secondary and high school. I listen, I am logical, I collaborate and help execute.

TR: What are your top three priorities if elected?

MT: 1. Absorb as much as I can about the schools, the needs, the voice of the community… and then act. 

2. Be transparent and live within the bylaws.

3. Be available to hear the voice, and work towards meeting the needs of the many.

TR: If you are asking about the three biggest concerns in our School District that need attention and prioritized:

MT: 1. School bond passed to keep our kids safe.

2. Anti-bullying to keep our kids safe.

3. Educate the children in the BGPS boundaries … by keeping good teachers, having programs that support those not going to college, having the right technology to help today's students learn, helping students learn skills in and out of the classroom and have a community that is unified and working together. It takes a village.

TR: This time last year, Battle Ground Public Schools failed to pass a bond. The board recently committed to putting another bond before voters in early 2018. Are you in favor of a bond, and if so, what needs to be done to see it pass?

MT: I support the right bond. We need to improve our structures to protect the kids and keep them safe. The way it passes is that it is the right bond. The voter have to see its need and value.

La Center School District Board of Directors

La Center’s School Board has two seats open, but neither is a contested race. Incumbents Todd Jones, who joined the school board in 2010, and Win Muffett, who joined in 2017, will keep their District No. 2 and 3 seats.

Hockinson School District Board of Directors

The Hockinson School Board has three open seats, but one of the positions, District No. 2, is an unopposed race in which incumbent Kathy Nordberg will retain her seat. For District No. 1, incumbent Steve Nylund is trying to hold his seat against a challenge from Kirk Jensen. District No. 5 incumbent Scott Swindell is doing the same against Gordon Smith. 

Steve Nylund

Bio: Steve Nylund is 60 years old and has been a school director for four years. Nylund has have been involved with the district in other capacities as well, including service on the Hockinson High School Core Design Team and the Vocational Advisory Group. Raised in the district, Nylund attended Hockinson schools, then Battle Ground High School and Clark College. He’s a co-founder and CEO of Delta Computer Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of industrial control equipment based in Battle Ground. Nylund and his wife moved back to the district 26 years ago, and their children have attended Hockinson School District.

The Reflector: Why are you running for this office? 

Steve Nylund: I have been asked to serve and I am willing to do so. I have good memories of many fine teachers in Hockinson and the lessons that I learned from them. I appreciate the importance of education and have always been a strong supporter of public schools.

TR: What makes you the best candidate?

SN: I think it is important to have diversity on the board, and I try to bring a community perspective. A number of the current board members have current or former direct connections to the district and they bring a certain viewpoint to board. This “inside” perspective is very valuable, but it is not the only perspective. None of my family members are school employees, which I feel helps me to keep a balance between education excellence and taxpayer value. Also, the school board has two new members since I joined four years ago. Having a mix of new members and experienced members works very well, and I can help maintain some experience on the board.

TR: What are your top three priorities if elected?

SN: My top priority, which I share with the board and administration, is a stronger focus on student achievement. Between the construction projects (which were very necessary) and the many changes mandated by the state, the last couple years have been challenging. I think we are all excited to renew the focus on student learning.

Second, I want to continue to be an advocate for STEM and vocational programs. It has been exciting to see the success of STEM at the middle school and I am looking forward to continuing improvement in that program and in the other schools as well. I am also glad to see progress at the high school with the work-based learning program. We all want Hockinson students to be successful, and success can be different for different people. The easy path would be to focus on the college-bound high-achievers at the expense of those who are struggling, or are just on another career path — and I appreciate that Hockinson teachers and staff work so hard to help every student.

Third, I want to continue to try to look out for the balanced interest of all parties. I believe community members share the same goal for student success along with parents, staff and the students themselves (retirees perhaps have the most at stake — these young people are the ones who will be helping take care of them and paying taxes to support them!). Schools have a challenging time ahead with the funding changes, and I will try to help the district continue to move forward in a positive direction.

TR: In recent years and months, the school district has added several new facilities. Are there any other large projects you see as being necessary during your time on the board if elected?

SN: No major projects. The voter-mandated reduction in class sizes at the lower grade levels is a positive thing for education, but it does mean more classroom space (although not necessarily more common spaces). The district is adding portable classrooms at the elementary school and looking for ways to make other improvements at that school.

Kirk Jensen

Bio: Kirk Jensen is 47 and has never held an elected position. He has a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. With that, Jensen has over 25 years of international business experience with both large and small companies. This includes managing multi-million dollar product lines, developing engagement strategies and executing lean principles around creating value with few resources. 

Jensen has been a school guest speaker on technology and careers and a volunteer with the local Boy Scouts and Little League. He has a wife and two children, one of whom is a student at Hockinson Middle School.

The Reflector: Why are you running for this office?

Kirk Jensen: Simply put, I wish to give back to the community by using my expertise to help take Hockinson School District's reputation from good to great. 

TR: What makes you the best candidate?

KJ: I have attended public schools across the United States, and witnessed the education system in countries around the world. I also bring a strong global business background in managing finances and strategies. It is this diverse combination of perspective and experience which will enable me to introduce different approaches to challenges faced by the school board. In addition, based on a shared vision for the district, the Washington Education Association and its members within the Hockinson School District have recently chosen to endorse my candidacy.

TR: What are your top three priorities if elected?

KJ: 1. Improve the learning experience for all students by supporting the use of curriculums, and encouraging additional teacher training. 

2. Increase stability within the district staff to stop the revolving door of employees that have plagued the district in recent years.

3. Improve accountability across the district by fostering an environment of open and honest communication. 

TR: In recent years and months, the school district has added several new facilities. Are there any other large projects you see as being necessary during your time on the board if elected?

KJ: Some of the potential projects that may be necessary are improvements to the elementary school, additional K-12 curriculums and reconstruction of the high school football field.

Scott Swindell

Bio: Scott Swindell is 51. He has no prior political experience but has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Willamette University, a doctorate from Willamette University’s College of Law and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Florida’s College of Law. Swindell has been a practicing attorney in the areas of estate planning and business transactions for 26 years. Married for 28 years, Swindell has three daughters ages 24, 21 and 19, all of whom completed their K-12 education in the Hockinson School District. Swindell created the Hockinson Public Schools Foundation and served on its board of trustees for 14 years. He’s coached in the Prairie Soccer Club for 13 years and also served nine years as a board member on the Southwest Washington/PeaceHeatlh Southwest Medical Center Foundation. For the past 15 years, Swindell has served as a member of the Planned Giving Committee for the PeaceHealth Medical Center Foundation. He’s been a SWIFT Board Member and is currently a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the Oregon State Bar Association. Swindell has been a member of the Southwest Washington Estate Planning Council for more than 15 years and previously chaired the Hockinson Levy and Bond Committee for three successful levy campaigns over a seven-year period.

The Reflector: Why are you running for this office?

Scott Swindell: I have been a dedicated participant in various capacities over the past 24 years in order to help make Hockinson Schools a great place for our students to be educated. I would like the opportunity to continue to serve my community in the capacity as a school board member in order to help continue the excellence in education we have seen in past years.  

TR: What makes you the best candidate?

SS: I have a substantial amount of experience as a board member for a multitude of organizations with a track record of doing great things to improve the communities which such organizations serve. After serving on the Hockinson School Board for the past few months, I feel confident this experience would be of great value to the community. I have also been involved for the past 20 plus years in making the Hockinson School District a great place to be educated by doing such things as creating the Hockinson Public Schools Foundation and serving on its board for many years and chairing past levy campaigns, all of which were successful. 

TR: What are your top three priorities if elected? 

SS: 1. Take actions which ensure that all groups and individuals in our community are valued and heard. 

2. Take actions which ensure that students are delivered the best education the Hockinson School District can provide to them.

3. Take actions to ensure that our administrators, teachers and staff members are supported and provided with the tools which allow for these individuals to deliver a stellar education to the students in the Hockinson School District.

TR: In recent years and months, the school district has added several new facilities. Are there any other large projects you see as being necessary during your time on the board if elected? 

SS: Because our District is growing and is likely to continue to grow, I feel it is critical to ensure the district is giving appropriate forethought to where we may be at 10 or 15 years from now.  Although no major construction projects may be completed for well into the next many years, the district needs to take action to ensure it is setting itself up for construction of what is likely to be a new elementary school and substantial remodel of the existing elementary school, knowing these actions are likely to be necessary in the future, even if that is many years from now after existing bonds obligations are satisfied.

Gordon Smith

Bio: Gordon Smith is 51 and has elected experience as Makah Tribal Council chairman and Cape Flattery School Board member. Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington in 1988 and has worked as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps (Desert Storm), been general manager for Makah Tribal Council, a student liaison at Yelm High School, a commercial fisherman and a compact negotiator. Smith has coached youth sports from preschool to 12th grade for 12 years and was part of the Groundfish Advisory Sub-Panel for the Pacific Fishery Management Council for nearly a decade.

The Reflector: Why are you running for this office?

Gordon Smith: I have a strong desire to serve our community and have done so throughout my life. Having my two eldest children graduate from Hockinson High School, and my youngest son in fifth grade, I have a vested interest working for our schools. Over the last several months, I have had the opportunity to speak with Hockinson residents, educators and students and have received a whole lot of encouragement and excitement.

TR: What makes you the best candidate?

GS: What I can bring to the table is almost 30 years of leadership and management skills, which has resulted in being a team player, problem solver and a strong student advocate. My previous service as a board member with the Cape Flattery School District will give me the opportunity to make an immediate contribution to the district.

If a Hockinson resident wants someone to listen to their concerns with an open mind, then I believe I'm their candidate. I have been endorsed by the Hockinson Education Association.

TR: What are your top three priorities if elected?

GS: My goal as a member of the Hockinson School Board will be to make sure every student has the same high-quality education, no matter what grade level or educational need. I believe all children should be afforded the same excellent education within the Hockinson School District. It will be my focus to make sure that this is, and continues to be, a reality. 

TR: In recent years and months, the school district has added several new facilities. Are there any other large projects you see as being necessary during your time on the board if elected?

GS: I want to be a part of the solution to come up with a solid plan to address the field at Hockinson High School.

Ridgefield School District Board of Directors District 4

There is one contested race in Ridgefield.

Becky Greenwald, incumbent, District 4 seat

Bio: Greenwald, 42, has been on the board since 2014. She has a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science from Oregon State University and is the chief financial officer of Creekside Mortgage Incorporated. She has been a parent-volunteer in schools 

and sports-affiliated and non-profit fundraisers, a member of the South Ridge PTA and the Ridgefield High School Boosters and has been a Red Kettle bell-ringing volunteer. Greenwald’s family includes her husband, Kerry, and four children, ages 7 to 16.

The Reflector: Why are you running for this office?

BG: It has been my pleasure to serve on the Ridgefield School Board since 2014. My service on the board has been very exciting and rewarding. We are a collaborative and results-oriented board. Together, we successfully hired our new superintendent Dr. Nathan McCann, completed the $49 Million 2012 bond measure improvements under budget, implemented strategic planning to ensure successful passage of the $78 million 2017 bond, expanded course offerings and programming district-wide, and became the first district in the state to earn systemwide AdvancED accreditation. Continuous improvement is our hallmark. To that end, it is essential the board be present and highly active in both our schools and community, and this is a responsibility I take seriously. I consider it an honor to continue serving you. We are striving to be the state's premier district, leveraging strong community partnerships to provide each student personalized learning experiences, opportunities, and skills that ensure success and unlimited possibilities, and I believe continuing my leadership on the Ridgefield School Board will help make that goal reality.

TR: What makes you the best candidate?

BG: I am the best candidate due to proven effectiveness, which has developed from experience acquired through dedication to the mission of education. This is evident as the Ridgefield School District is one of the most successful school districts in Washington.

I will continue to work hard to help students, families, teachers and the community by listening and assisting to address their concerns. I believe I have the experience, knowledge and understanding of how to be effective in my position on the board.

TR: What are your top three priorities if elected?

BG: This is a unique time in Ridgefield's history as we are experiencing unprecedented growth.  Proactively managing the growth is a top priority. I'm committed to ensuring that leveraging the growth to positively impact every student in the district by continuing to expand programs that provide more experiences and opportunities for each child to pursue their desired pathway.  Equally important, I'm focused on making sure that we do everything possible to maximize student safety and security. I'm proud of the work we have with the safety and security measures that we have included in the 2017 bond. The district works closely with CRESA and our local first responders to train our staff and students. We just recently completed student and staff training to proactively address active threats. Ridgefield is historically a high-performing district and I'm focused on continuing my work. I'm proud of the increased number of students enrolling in AP programming at RHS and the district's commitment to adding more challenging course offerings.

TR: Growth is happening, and school officials have said time and again that all the district can do is react to growth. Are there ways to use what the district has to mitigate growth issues?

BG: Again, the growth we are experiencing is unprecedented. I actually feel, within the confines of what we can do as a school district, we have been very proactive in managing the growth.  The new 5-8 schools complex is a prime example. We have reshaped our grade bands and built two schools under one roof as a way to use what we have available most efficiently.

TR: Superintendent McCann has been a big proponent of "Pursuing Premier." What does that mean for you?

BG: This is at the hallmark of what both I and our community believe in, and that is truly for continuous improvement. Ridgefield is a very special place and we are blessed with some tremendous resources. I believe in establishing bold goals and remaining sharply focused in the pursuit of those goals. Every child in Ridgefield deserves nothing less than our very best effort.

TR: The McCleary decision and the funding of public education has been the biggest issue in state education for years. How are your feelings given what you know on how the decision will affect the district?

BG: I understand that nobody is ever fully happy when a compromise solution is passed. I am proud of the Legislature for stepping up and creating a bipartisan compromise that does input a significant amount of new money into K-12 education. 

Damion Jiles: District 4 seat

Bio: Damion is native Texan, a 12-year Army veteran and a father of three. His daughter will begin her freshman year at the University of Washington in the fall and his sons attend South Ridge Elementary and View Ridge Middle School. He and his family have resided in the state of Washington since Thanksgiving of 1997, as he was transferred from Fort Hood, Texas, to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. They have lived in the Clark County area since 2004 and have been residents of Ridgefield since 2005. Damion has been an active member of his Clark County community since relocating to the area. He invests in keeping it a great place to live by coaching youth athletics, engaging with the homeless and other community service projects.

The Reflector: Why are you running for office?

DJ: Diversity and the inspiration of a young lady that I met whom attends the high school. In regards to diversity, the face of Ridgefield is changing and I believe that the students of the school district deserve representation that is in tune with their needs. As far as my inspiration, I met a young lady over dinner. She currently attends Ridgefield High School and is of mixed race. With today’s political climate, she is experiencing bullying at a disproportionate rate and I believe that this is intolerable. I feel that kids should be able to attend school in an environment that is conducive to learning and should not have to deal with issues of bullying. If elected, I intend to do everything within my power to eliminate this issue from Ridgefield schools.

TR: What makes you the best candidate?

DJ: I believe that I am the best candidate because I am not OK with maintaining the status quo. I see the change that is happening in our city, and our school district has to grow with it.

TR: What are your top three priorities if elected?

DJ: 1. Welcoming schools. Students need to know that are being provided a quality education is a safe and welcoming learning environment. There are enough distractions in the world today and Ridgefield does not need these distractions permeating the district. 

2. Anti-bullying. Ridgefield is experiencing growth in exponential numbers and is becoming more diverse by the day. I have recently learned that there are families that moved to Ridgefield simply because of the school district and how great it is. Those same families have been taking their kids out of the district due to the bullying and racism that they experienced in the schools. I have two kids in the district and I find this to be unacceptable. When elected, I intend to do everything in my power to reverse this. 

3. Pathways to success. I hope to see programs instituted in the Ridgefield School that parallel the Running Start program. Not all kids are going to go to college for whatever the reason, and I feel that programs such as union-sponsored apprenticeships should be instituted into the district. Labor unions provide living wage jobs and fight hard to ensure that their members and workers are treated fairly and earn a fair wage for a hard day’s work. As a veteran of the U.S. Army, I would also like to see an ROTC program. I was a four-year cadet in high school, and I knew that the military was something that I always wanted to do. ROTC gave me the opportunity to get some foresight as to what the military is all about. 

TR: Superintendent McCann has been a big proponent of "Pursuing Premier." What does that mean for you?

DJ: I believe that Dr. McCann's pursuit of Ridgefield becoming one of the state's premier school districts is dead on-point. I believe that the four goals that Dr. McCann has laid out in vision are achievable by him, staff and faculty to make sure that Ridgefield is nothing less. 

TR: The McCleary decision and the funding of public education has been the biggest issue in state education for years. How are your feelings given what you know on how the decision will affect the district?

DJ: I believe that the state has a paramount duty to fully fund public schools and are failing the students by not doing so. Taxpayers should not bear the burden that the state is failing its public school system on.