Parents, staff and students press board on superintendent search and workplace concerns at Columbia Valley

A slate of parents, certificated staff and student leaders used the public comment period March 11 to press the Evergreen School Board on its superintendent search and to raise allegations of harassment and micromanagement at Columbia Valley Elementary.

Angie Bunda, a parent with two students in the district, said she and others found it "odd" there were two finalists rather than three and questioned whether a nationwide search had been conducted. "People are interested to learn exactly how their tax dollars were used," Bunda said.

The testimony included a formal reading by Heather Killam on behalf of a majority of Columbia Valley certificated staff. Killam said the staff resolution accused building leadership of micromanagement, intimidation and retaliatory tactics that have created "a culture of fear, eroding the culture of trust and collaboration." She urged the board to "direct the superintendent to pursue a mutually agreed upon solution to the issues we have laid out and ensure that administrative practices reflect the values of our district."

Several other speakers expanded on those concerns. Leslie Lehi Herman said attempts at mediation had left staff feeling that human resources and the mediator did not address underlying trust issues. Paul Porter said the school board "does not reflect the students and families it serves" and called for leadership to be held accountable. Student speakers and advisors, including Clarissa Hightower, thanked board members who engaged with student voice and urged the board to continue incorporating student input.

Nut graf: The comments combined two related themes—questions about the superintendent search process and demands for board action to address alleged hostile administrative practices at a specific school. While the board did not take immediate formal action during public comment, multiple speakers asked the board to use its oversight role to pursue transparency and accountability.

What speakers asked for - Transparency in the superintendent search, including how finalists were identified and community engagement used in the process. (Angie Bunda) - Board direction to the superintendent to resolve building-level issues at Columbia Valley and ensure administrative practices align with district values; requests for accountability and oversight. (Heather Killam, Leslie Lehi Herman) - Continued emphasis on student voice and inclusion, and stronger support for staff who raise concerns. (student speakers and Clarissa Hightower)

Board response and next steps Board President Jackie Weatherspoon and other directors acknowledged student input and said the district incorporated student suggestions into the board resolution adopted earlier in the meeting. Several directors encouraged continued community engagement, and Director Rob Perkins offered to participate in further mediation efforts if requested.

Provenance (transcript excerpts) First relevant excerpt: "My name is Angie Bunda. I have 2 students in the district... Many find it odd there were only 2 candidates instead of 3 and that the other candidate happened to live right here in Vancouver." (public comment segment) Last relevant excerpt: "We are asking for immediate and meaningful action from this board. We need accountability. We need oversight. And most importantly, we need leadership that values and respects its educators." (Columbia Valley certificated staff representative)

Ending: Speakers asked for formal follow-up from the board and superintendent; the board acknowledged the comments and said it would continue community engagement and consider next steps outside the public comment period.