BATTLE GROUND HIGH School principal candidate Michael Hamilton addresses questions from attendees at the principal forum held March 10 in the Lair at the high school.
CHARBONNEAU GOURDE, one of two candidates for the soon-to-be-open principal position at Battle Ground High School, speaks to attendees at the principal forum held last week.
RYAN COWL was recently recommended for the principal position at CAM Academy.
Battle Ground Public Schools Superintendent Mark Hottowe has recommended Michael Hamilton as the new Battle Ground High School principal.
Hamilton is currently the principal at Kalama Middle/High School. The recommendation will go to the Battle Ground Public Schools Board of Directors for approval at its regular board meeting on March 23.
Hamilton, who lives in the Battle Ground district, began his career teaching in the Tahoma School District and Evergreen Public Schools before transferring to Kalama. At the Kalama School District he served as a teacher, assistant principal and athletic director, superintendent intern, and principal. During his 14 years as principal at Kalama Middle/High School, Hamilton led the school to three Washington School of Distinction Awards, three Washington State OSPI Achievement Awards, a Microsoft IT School Lighthouse Award and the State Superintendent’s Learning Improvement Award.
Hottowe is recommending Hamilton for the position after two final candidates participated in the March 10 Battle Ground High School principal forum, where students, parents and staff asked questions and completed feedback forms. Forum participants returned dozens of comment forms to the interview committee before a final decision was made.
Students, parents and community members were able to hear a little bit about the two different candidates competing for the job of principal at Battle Ground High School during the principal forum.
Principal candidates Hamilton and Charbonneau Gourde each spent about 45 minutes introducing themselves to a small audience of students and district staff, and answering questions from attendees.
Many of the questions from those in attendance at the forum addressed the issues of bullying, harassment and diversity. In response to being asked how he would make sure students don’t feel harassed or bullied at school, Hamilton said it’s all about climate and a school climate needs to be built that is respectful and safe.
Both candidates were also asked why the feel the job of principal of Battle Ground High School is important.
“This job is important because the principal sets the tone for the school,” Hamilton said. “We wear lots of different hats in education, but we’re all here for the same reason – student learning.”
Gourde took his turn to tell attendees a little about himself and answer questions after Hamilton. Currently principal at Covington Middle School, Gourde has also worked at Mountain View High School, Union High School and Heritage High School. He has taught and coached football and wrestling.
Gourde addressed the same questions from those in attendance as Hamilton. When talking about protecting students from bullying and harassment, he said school needs to be a place where students feel safe and a place where they belong. He talked about the need to be proactive when addressing concerns like bullying and also growing the leadership within the student community at the school.
When asked what he thinks some of the biggest challenges would be for him as principal at Battle Ground High School, Gourde said learning the system and meeting everyone within the district and the community would probably be some of his biggest challenges.
“This is a large school, it’s one of the biggest high schools around,” Gourde said. “For me, learning how the district operates and really figuring out what needs there are would be one of the biggest challenges. Before making any changes or anything, you need to make sure people know what you’re doing."
“I want to thank everyone who participated in this process, especially the interview committee members and the staff, parents and students who participated in Tuesday’s forum,” Hottowe said. “We had two very strong final candidates and I am confident moving forward with Mr. Hamilton.”
After board approval, Hamilton will take the leadership position at Battle Ground High School on July 1. Current Battle Ground High School principal Tim Lexow announced his resignation earlier this year after serving the district for 20 years.
“We want to thank Tim for his years of service and leadership within the district and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Hottowe said.
Lexow will serve as principal through the remainder of the school year.
Cowl recommended for CAM Academy principal position
Battle Ground Public Schools Superintendent Mark Hottowe has recommended Ryan Cowl as the new CAM Academy Principal. Cowl currently serves as assistant principal at Tukes Valley Middle School. The recommendation will go to the Board of Directors for approval at the March 23 regular board meeting.
Cowl began his career with Battle Ground Public Schools in 1996 as a special education teacher at Captain Strong Primary School, where he stayed until 2008. During that time, Cowl also supported multiple summer school programs at Captain Strong, adaptive physical education at Maple Grove and provided administrative support at Captain Strong and Chief Umtuch schools. In 2008, Cowl moved to Tukes Valley, where he served as assistant principal of both the primary and middle schools until 2012 when he took on the role full time at the middle school.
Hottowe is recommending Cowl for the position after three final candidates participated in the March 3 CAM Principal Forum, where students, parents and staff asked questions and completed feedback forms. Forum participants returned dozens of comment forms to the interview committee before a final decision was made.
“I want to thank the parents, students and staff who participated in this process and gave us valuable feedback during the forum,” Hottowe said. “We had three strong finalists, and the interview team appreciated the comments, which helped us make a final decision.”
Upon board approval, Cowl will take leadership at CAM Academy on July 1. Current CAM Academy Principal Colleen O’Neal announced her retirement earlier this year after serving the district for 28 years.
“We want to thank Colleen for her years of service and leadership within the district and wish her the best in her retirement,” Hottowe said.
O’Neal will serve as principal through the remainder of the school year and support Cowl’s transition into the position. The assistant principal position at Tukes Valley Middle School will be posted on the district’s human resources pages after final board approval.
CAM (Character and Academics for the Marketplace) Academy is a rigorous, academic, alternative school that serves students in grades 3-12 in the Battle Ground Public Schools district.
