Port Angeles board honors Stevens Middle School staff for life‑saving response

The Port Angeles School District Board of Directors publicly recognized Stevens Middle School staff Tuesday for providing life‑saving care to a student found unresponsive on Jan. 14, 2025.

The board read a formal letter praising the staff’s “quick thinking, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to student safety,” saying their “immediate and decisive actions” gave the student “the best possible chance at survival.” Board members invited the staff recognized in the letter to stand at the meeting and receive the district’s thanks.

The letter named Melissa McBride, Michael Miller, Leanne Mandeville, Sarah Pierce, Darren Mills, Donald Bland and Christie Faulding as staff who were acknowledged by the board. The board president read that the actions taken when the student was discovered “were nothing short of heroic,” and said the district and board were “profoundly grateful.”

No formal action or policy change followed the recognition. The board discussed an effort to coordinate a debrief with emergency responders after the incident; the letter noted the district had attempted to partner with on‑site emergency personnel to arrange a review and debrief of the response.

Board members and the superintendent thanked the Stevens staff in public comment on the record and encouraged the district community to recognize the staff’s work.

The district did not disclose medical details, the student’s condition beyond the board’s statement, or any personnel or employment actions tied to the incident during the meeting.