BG CAST

What happens when a school district can no longer balance its budget? Could the state take control of local schools? And how close is Battle Ground Public Schools to that possibility?

In this conversation, Shelly and David sit down with T.J. Kelly, Chief Financial Officer for Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), to discuss the financial challenges facing Battle Ground Public Schools and school districts across Washington.

We explore what happens when a district enters state financial oversight, how much local control could be lost, what the consequences might be for students and families, and what another failed school levy could mean for Battle Ground.

But the conversation goes beyond our local district. With multiple Washington school districts already under state oversight, we examine the larger questions surrounding school funding, rising operating costs, unfunded mandates, and the increasing dependence on local taxpayers.

Is Battle Ground facing a unique financial crisis, or is its situation part of a much larger problem with how Washington funds public education?

This conversation is intended to help our community understand the facts, the risks, and the decisions ahead.

In this episode of BG CAST, we look at two different ways people are serving the Battle Ground community, through local service and through preserving history.

First, we talk with Battle Ground Rotary Club President Michael Ernest and Public Image Chair Becky Hanenkrat about the role Rotary plays in our community. We discuss the club’s support of local schools, including a recent $1,000 school supply donation to Laurin Middle School, scholarships for Battle Ground students with an emphasis on technical and trade education, support for Rocksolid Teen Center, and the many ways Rotary members work together to meet needs throughout the Battle Ground area.

Then, we’re joined by Chief Umtuch Middle School teacher Beth Doughty to talk about the National History Day Researching Silent Heroes project. Beth was one of just 61 educators nationwide, and the only educator from Washington state, selected to participate in the program. She shares about her research into Staff Sergeant Clifford Henry Mast, a Spokane-area airman who served during the Korean War, and the importance of preserving the stories of people whose service might otherwise be forgotten.

In this episode, we learn more about Read NW, a local organization helping students strengthen their literacy skills through consistent, one-on-one reading support. Executive Director Brook Trang and founder and board member Rich Brosius explain how volunteers meet with the same student once a week for about 30 minutes, building both reading confidence and meaningful relationships throughout the school year.

Read NW currently serves students at Daybreak, Glenwood Heights, Maple Grove and Pleasant Valley primary schools, as well as schools in other districts. We also hear about Bites & Books, a special event Read NW is hosting in partnership with the Battle Ground Education Foundation this March for first graders and their families.

What happens when schools and local industry actually work together?

In this episode, we talk about the importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and why programs like construction trades, welding, manufacturing, and technical education matter, not just for students, but for the future of local businesses and the Clark County workforce.

Joining the conversation are Grace Child from Tradesmen Electric and Derek Huegel from Wolf Industries. Grace shares how the district’s Career and Technical Education Advisory Council helps connect classrooms to real-world industry needs, while Derek discusses the growing demand for skilled trades workers and the importance of giving students meaningful pathways into the workforce before and after graduation.

We also discuss the new construction trades building, the challenges industries face in finding skilled workers, and how local levy funding helps sustain the CTE programs that prepare students for real careers right here in our community.

Whether you’re a parent, student, employer, or community member, this episode explores why investing in hands-on education is really an investment in the future of Southwest Washington.

In this episode, we explore two hands-on learning opportunities available to local students.

First, Assistant Director Tami Oppliger and counselor Ryan Hovde join us to talk about Cascadia Technical Academy, the regional career and technical school serving students across Southwest Washington. With 20 programs, Cascadia Tech helps students explore careers and gain real-world skills before graduating high school.

Then, in our Spotlight, Prairie High School teacher Jen Engelbart shares how students are gaining practical financial experience through the new student-run iQ Credit Union branch at Prairie, where students help operate a real credit union location during the school day.

It’s a look at how local schools are creating meaningful, real-world learning experiences for students.

There has been a lot of information—and misinformation—circulating about the upcoming school levy. In this bonus episode, I sit down with Battle Ground Public Schools Superintendent Shelly Whitten for a straightforward conversation to clarify what the levy is, what it replaces, and what it would mean for students, schools, and the community.

Today’s episode highlights both student talent and school leadership across the district.

We begin with a brief student spotlight featuring Eva Cryblskey, a River HomeLink violinist recently named an Enspire Arts Ambassador, who shares a short performance and a few reflections on her experience.

The main conversation features Assistant Principal Salina Machida of Tukes Valley Primary and Dean of Students Jamal McKenzie of Battle Ground High School. Together, they discuss the wide-ranging responsibilities of assistant principals and deans, from student discipline and safety to social-emotional support and school culture. Salina reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to National Board–certified educator and Marine Corps veteran, while Jamal shares insights from his background in school safety, athletics, and student support, including being named Washington School Safety Organization’s Security Officer of the Year.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the leadership roles that help schools run well and support students every day.

In this episode of BG CAST, we sit down with Superintendent Shelly Whitten and Assistant Superintendent Lynnell Tsugawa-Murray to get to know the people leading Battle Ground and the values shaping their vision for the district. Shelly shares her three guiding principles—keeping students at the center of every decision, valuing honesty and feedback, and holding herself and others to high expectations—along with her personal story as a Battle Ground native whose life was shaped by a local teacher. Lynnell reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to district leadership and the importance of thoughtful, responsible systems that support students and staff. We also spotlight the Pleasant Valley Middle School band, joined by director James deBra, celebrating their Sweepstakes Award win at the 2025 Junior Rose Parade and the collaboration across schools that makes student music programs thrive.

This episode features Yacolt PE teacher Daniela Alexakis, founder of the Yacolt Primary Running Club, where students logged an impressive 13,769 miles during the 2024–25 school year. Daniela shares how the club boosts activity, confidence, and connection among students—earning her recognition as a Learn Here Hero and an honoree of Identity Clark County. We also talk with Brandon Case from First Student and Karen Bisson, BGPS transportation supervisor, about what it takes to safely transport nearly 9,900 students across 273 square miles, including early-morning winter road checks, behavior-management training, and tools like the parent bus-tracking app.

Today on the show, we’re talking with two key figures in Battle Ground Public Schools history: former Superintendent Mark Ross and the district's next leader, Deputy Superintendent Shelly Whitten. Mark, who served as superintendent from 2017 to 2021, reflects on his tenure. Shelly, a Battle Ground High School graduate with a 30-year career spanning teaching, administration, and human resources, discusses her deep roots in the community and her vision for the future as she prepares to become Superintendent.