[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6462243,"mediaKeyId","5811795-f09f47906f40d6aa49c028fca0b322e5","parentId",5811795,"title","Residents urge immediate firing after teacher allegedly celebrated killing of public figure; board receives public comment","audioSeconds",2017,"startMs",3554000,"endMs",5571000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811795-f09f47906f40d6aa49c028fca0b322e5&start=3554&end=5571","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811795-f09f47906f40d6aa49c028fca0b322e5/thumbnail_3554000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462243/Washington/Residents-urge-immediate-firing-after-teacher-allegedly-celebrated-killing-of-public-figure-board-receives-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462243-edf4c19eb9c504b027a378695088d0af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770600462&Signature=DqDxs536hWY47mbc6gWPdcRgOPI-R8yOpqa16doKiMIYYLH54hA735ls3qWI2rV9xlryTzP1V7X-0JJBiRjoXXE~C5me5tzp0rdpWakhbqhBD20m3xLTMLB-2lt4psLoddfFZMJ48SIYdcNSliB3arV9-IVLK5bqNVFL6F4-qZetGJ9vAo04xlqtr1MkTFwQvWuV2Wm0WJldr857Doh0CSwLJGZcrkPXCYZp1l~y5dnRaT7heQpDak1XQlITNi9F76IOup4AGE32uiZW8WR56jsMNQxUWp8zzRIz1sjsLW8CsvIn9MiySdeFFgbEqQdujHL3FYNAFx0U7RM123o6~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Battle Ground School District","date","2025-09-22T00:00:00Z","article","Dozens of community members addressed the Battle Ground School District Board of Directors on Sept. 22 to demand immediate action after a teacher allegedly celebrated the killing of a public figure. Speakers from the public comment period called the conduct \"cruel\" and \"incomprehensible,\" said it violated district policies and urged the board to terminate the teacher rather than pause pending investigation.

The first speaker on the topic, John O'Haver, told the board: \"We are calling for the immediate termination of this teacher.\" (John O'Haver, Sept. 22). Throughout the public-comment period, multiple speakers addressed the board in similar terms, saying suspension was insufficient and that retaining the teacher would erode trust.

What the public said
- Several speakers referenced board policy 52.53 (staff-student boundaries) and policy 52.54 (staff expression) when urging the board to act; one speaker read the district policy aloud and said it provided grounds for termination.
- Parents and community members described students and families as distressed; some said students had reported the matter to school staff and should be protected.
- Speakers representing themselves and community groups repeatedly requested decisive discipline — including termination — and said delaying a final decision would signal tolerance for the conduct.

Board response and process
Board policy presented at the meeting requires that citizens' comments avoid naming staff members in public comment, but several speakers nevertheless referenced the teacher by name; the board moderator reminded speakers to avoid discussing confidential personnel matters during public comment. The board took no formal employment action during the meeting.

Superintendent and staff responses in the meeting emphasized due process for students and staff in other contexts; the superintendent and district staff explained the district's obligations to provide notice and an impartial hearing in certain disciplinary circumstances, and said the district would follow applicable procedures. During the superintendent's nod to due process, she described notice, opportunity to be heard and (where applicable) impartial hearing officers as parts of the process for student and staff discipline.

Why it matters
Speakers said immediate action would protect students and reinforce trust in district schools. Several speakers warned the board that reinstatement or prolonged suspension without resolution would prompt further public pressure and political mobilization.

Ending
The public comment portion concluded with the board listening to the requests and receiving multiple written and verbal complaints. There was no recorded board directive to terminate a staff member at the meeting; staff indicated the district would follow established personnel procedures and any required investigations or hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Battle Ground School District - Board of Directors","oneSentenceSummary","Residents urged the Battle Ground School District Board on Sept. 22 to immediately terminate a teacher who, they said, celebrated the death of a public figure; the board took no employment action at the meeting.","taxTitle","Battle Ground School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",13034,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6462248,"Battle Ground board adopts Wayfinder high-school SEL curriculum after months of review",3840,5623000,9463000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811795-f09f47906f40d6aa49c028fca0b322e5&start=5623&end=9463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811795-f09f47906f40d6aa49c028fca0b322e5/thumbnail_5623000.jpg","/articles/6462248/Washington/Battle-Ground-board-adopts-Wayfinder-high-school-SEL-curriculum-after-months-of-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462248-9116768cdf92ecb75b096aaa05f84920/orig.mp4?Expires=1770600462&Signature=YfCZLUkJ6QcPi7L-RcdUIlja9xZ9T-ZieBa9n8yvCOQBb7FnUHamrMq1AIXbb8PvuAFtUXjwFScJz83iR198LHISO2gIKkk2RJUL7P2IgSmumUVoM6QBFlj~AI-LDuspX~z2OP5u2uAi342De0T81ROI3kifzN3YXWocuCUF~Mja98X-mOJASEcOHdHdx5Y6bMJD8Os3K4nxk0Vr7stTjrkatUbAUn-71DoeL3LGTzu7BNb3~y73zNG0TQUb0hdo6iuy5B9xEglrS-GRm7KC4Ic86vmivaV-d7jPYnxngmqBLZMVYVPCn5Ep~5Py~ePwE2r7DGtYdGNffsolh~FVZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Battle Ground School District Board of Directors voted 3 to 2 on Sept. 22 to adopt Wayfinder as the district's high school social-emotional learning curriculum, after a multi-month review, pilot lessons and extensive public comment.

Supporters on the board and district staff said Wayfinder met evidence-based criteria and CASEL's standards as a \"select\" program, and that staff would use grant funds and existing program budgets to pilot and scale the materials. Tamara (speaking for Eric Seegstorf), the district's curriculum lead present at the meeting, told the board: \"I am here to simply ask what questions you have remaining. Answer those questions, and ask for your approval in implementing or adopting Wayfinder as our high school SEL curriculum.\" (Tamara, Sept. 22)

The board's decision followed weeks of committee work, student piloting and a public review. District staff and student representatives who piloted the materials said lessons aim to teach skills such as self-awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. Student representative Itzel Contreras said she participated in piloting and that \"they heard the comments, the concerns, the pros, and the cons\" and that the curriculum team \"really jotted that down\" when shaping recommendations.

Why it matters: Board members and staff framed the adoption as a way to give students a common vocabulary and measurable interventions for conflict resolution, financial literacy and other nonacademic skills they said some students lack. Administrators emphasized the adoption does not make SEL therapy and said Tier 1 lessons were designed to be preventive; additional Tier 2 or Tier 3 supports would remain available through counselors and intervention teams.

Key facts and implementation notes
- Adoption vote: 3 in favor, 2 opposed (motion passed 3 to 2). The motion read, in part, as a request to \"approve the second reading and adoption of the high school SEL curriculum as presented.\" The transcript does not record individual roll-call names for that vote.
- Curriculum designation: District staff said Wayfinder has been designated a CASEL \"select\" program, meaning an independent review found it aligns with CASEL's five competencies (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making).
- Lesson length and cadence: Staff described individual Wayfinder lessons as roughly 30 minutes and said the likely cadence would be approximately once every two weeks or once a month, depending on school-level decisions and needs.
- Implementation planning: A smaller committee of teachers and specialists will draft a roll-out plan if the board's adoption stands; the committee will determine whether lessons are delivered via dedicated times, inserted into existing classes or used as targeted interventions.
- Adoption term: District staff said the adoption would be for a defined period (staff described \"a 5-year adoption\" process), at which point the board would again review materials and results.
- Cost and funding: Board discussion referenced grant and ongoing funding questions. During the meeting staff and board members discussed different price estimates that had been cited in committee conversations (figures discussed in the meeting included about $50,000 and a $26,000 figure reported by a board member). District staff said grant, Title and other funding sources would be reviewed to cover ongoing costs.

What was debated
Board members questioned whether the curriculum would add class time at the expense of academics, how it would be implemented across different courses, and whether the materials include content the community would find objectionable. Tamara and other staff said Wayfinder does not include lessons on gender identity and that the vendor and district had reviewed materials and communications to confirm that. Tamara told the board plainly: \"Wayfinder does not have any of those lessons.\" (Tamara, Sept. 22)

Opponents on the board and some community members argued evidence for SEL's academic effect is modest and expressed concern about time trade-offs and community trust ahead of a local levy. Director Debbie Johnson said she would vote no because she was \"not convinced\" the curriculum would produce the measurable results she wanted and because she feared it could erode community trust.

Student voice and pilot experience
Students who participated in pilot lessons and served on the review committee told the board they had regular meetings with the curriculum team and that student feedback shaped the recommendation. Student Itzel Contreras said students were involved \"since last year\" and that the committee collected student perspectives as part of its review.

Next steps and accountability
District staff said a committee will finalize implementation steps and measurements, including identifying indicators to track such as survey and behavior data, and that the board would be presented periodic updates. Allison (executive staff) described a formal reconsideration process that can be triggered by community members or staff if concerns arise, and that instructional materials policies require review before removal.

Ending
Board members split on whether the evidence and timing justified adoption now; the 3-2 vote approved Wayfinder with staff directed to develop a concrete implementation, measurement and funding plan and report back to the board for oversight.

","The Battle Ground School District Board voted 3–2 to adopt Wayfinder as its high school social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum after a multi-year review, pilot and community discussion. The board and staff said implementation details, measurement plans and funding will be developed before lessons are widely used.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6462239,"Votes at a glance: board approves agenda, consent items and first reading of CTE textbook; adopts high-school SEL curriculum",0,10164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811795-f09f47906f40d6aa49c028fca0b322e5&start=10164&end=10164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811795-f09f47906f40d6aa49c028fca0b322e5/thumbnail_10164000.jpg","/articles/6462239/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-board-approves-agenda-consent-items-and-first-reading-of-CTE-textbook-adopts-high-school-SEL-curriculum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462239-c4a640b53538c43331bc72e16d72033a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770600462&Signature=dcgeFt-KT7I5jYsKSYRUbB1F08h~T-p6dsNr9L6B~tGisRzFPkebk2sIxEX2KUWsfD0jZpVtkin0WJBbegcrFPL8O8nwaxBmWn7w~9FnOuV7Oh5lS4RcyzlpCEYmS~8h~oL7XnT2MntVn0DQDF27QG1ImzQtyJYDQ6qHAnV3CuZip-NoX6Ug8qzXu0am~tH0iYkM30zqD6sHRaBtmwh489uZNL1CyjUGmTxGHT8z6OFHPdaWi8QsAi4lfRj9NnUzFVMk~4zjwidm1vgXl632P9crqKsfRUIPwCQvULytkFAvcZXSlmKzARe-F0M2ohG1V-Hw167LCwohL8NIvzuK2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Here are formal actions taken by the Battle Ground School District Board of Directors on Sept. 22, based on motions recorded in the meeting transcript.

1) Agenda approval
- Motion: \"I'll move the board of directors approve the agenda as presented.\" (motion recorded)
- Outcome: Approved, 5 to 0.
- Notes: Student representatives registered \"pro.\" (transcript)

2) Consent agenda
- Motion: \"I move the Board of Directors approve the consent agenda as presented.\" (motion recorded)
- Outcome: Approved, 5 to 0.
- Items included: minutes, business/operations reports, personnel reports, student travel, financial reports, HeartStream contract approval (2025-26), OSSI school improvement plan for SVHS, Open Doors Grama funding.

3) First reading: CTE textbook, Natural Resources Systems
- Motion: \"I move the Board of Directors accept the first reading of the recommended CTE textbook Natural Resources System as presented.\" (motion recorded)
- Outcome: First reading accepted, motion passed 5 to 0.
- Notes: Committee of CTE teachers and advisory members reviewed multiple texts and recommended the book that aligns with AFNR and FFA standards.

4) Second reading and adoption: high-school SEL curriculum (Wayfinder)
- Motion: Board considered the second reading and adoption of the high-school SEL curriculum and voted to adopt.
- Outcome: Approved, 3 to 2 (motion passes).
- Notes: Extensive discussion preceded the vote, and board members directed staff to produce implementation, funding and measurement plans.

No other formal votes on personnel actions were recorded in the open session. The minutes reflect that citizen comments included repeated calls for staff discipline in a separate personnel matter; the board made no employment action during the meeting.

","On Sept. 22 the Battle Ground School District Board approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, accepted a first reading of a CTE textbook and adopted a high-school SEL curriculum. Vote results: agenda (5–0), consent agenda (5–0), CTE textbook first reading (5–0), Wayfinder SEL adoption (3–2).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge immediate firing after teacher allegedly celebrated killing of public figure; board receives public comment

Battle Ground board adopts Wayfinder high-school SEL curriculum after months of review

Votes at a glance: board approves agenda, consent items and first reading of CTE textbook; adopts high-school SEL curriculum