Battle Ground Superintendent Mark Hottowe announces retirement

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After a 41-year education career and three years at the helm of Battle Ground Public Schools, the district announced last week that Superintendent Mark Hottowe plans to retire this summer at the completion of the school year.

Mark Ross, the district's current Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, was unanimously appointed by the school board to succeed Hottowe.

He will begin his tenure on July 1.  

Hottowe's announcement did not come as a surprise.

According to a statement from the district, the board members said that, “Hottowe had made them aware when he was hired that he would serve just three or four years as superintendent. With this knowledge, board members have been considering options, including the possibility of tapping the next superintendent from inside the district to continue the momentum of Battle Ground's initiatives in strategic planning and providing a quality education and social-emotional learning.”

The board held an executive session at their last board meeting to discuss the qualifications of Ross. After the session ended, board member Stephanie McClintock made a motion to appoint Mark Ross as BGPS superintendent.

“Mark Ross has been working with Mark Hottowe for the last couple of years in preparation for a superintendent role due to the fact that Mark Hottowe had committed to working with Battle Ground for three to four years," she’s quoted as saying.

The board members approved the motion 5-0.

"The board feels we have the best candidate here in the district. Mark Ross has proven he can do the work and he knows this district and our community. We expect a smooth and seamless transition as Mark Hottowe retires and Mark Ross begins his tenure as our new superintendent. We couldn't be more pleased with his acceptance of our offer," said Monty Anderson, president of the Battle Ground Public Schools Board of Directors, is quoted as saying.

Ross, according to the statement,  said he is “honored and looking forward to working with Mark Hottowe through a smooth transition.”

He went on to say that, “This is a wonderful district. We have great people and a dedicated board, and we will continue in a positive direction. I'm very excited to be a part of what we have done in providing an outstanding educational experience, continuing the work in social-emotional learning, and ensuring that we have equitable facilities for all our students and staff."



The statement also noted that several board members spoke of how they are “pleased with the direction that the district is heading and are convinced Ross will continue this work to benefit students.”

Experience and history

For the last two years, Ross has piloted BGPS’s Teaching and Learning Department, which includes “social-emotional learning curriculum and instruction, professional development, assessment, special education, career and technical education, federal programs and grants and instructional leadership for the district's 18 schools.”  

Ross began his career as a language arts teacher and athletic coach at Camas High School in 1982. He then headed north for a time, where he taught and coached in the Issaquah and Renton school districts. He later served as assistant principal and dean of students at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Marysville as well.

Ross eventually returned to the Vancouver area, where he worked in positions such as assistant principal, athletic director, and principal in both the Evergreen and Vancouver school districts. He also held the position of executive director of secondary education in the Evergreen School District and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in the Washougal School District.

Hottowe’s legacy

Of Hottowe, the district’s statement spoke of what Hottowe has striven for and some of his accolades: “One of his (Hottowe) goals has been to highlight the importance of social-emotional learning in the district to help supports the needs of all students.”

It goes on to say that “Hottowe was instrumental in Battle Ground's receipt of the $2.5 million federal Project AWARE grant to support student mental health and wellness over five years. He also oversaw the development and implementation of a strategic plan and encouraged the board and community to create a long-term facilities plan for the district.”

Last year, Hottowe was honored by being named the Champion for Children by the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Foundation for Healthy Generations.  

"We have accomplished many of the goals we established when I was appointed superintendent three years ago. What we have put in place will continue in years to come, providing the best education for our students," Hottowe is quoted as saying while talking about enjoying his time serving in the Battle Ground school district.

During his 41 years working in education, Hottowe taught Native American students in Neah Bay, served as assistant principal in the Sumner School District, as a principal in the Longview School District, as the director of student services and the executive director of supervision and human resources for the Kelso School District and as the superintendent of Ocean Beach School District in Long Beach.