Washougal School Board appoints newest director

The Washougal School Board has replaced longtime director Elaine Pfeifer, who resigned in July, with a Washougal mother of two who has worked in several Washougal schools and is an active school district volunteer.

Angela Hancock, the new board director for District 2, was sworn in by Washougal School District (WSD) Superintendent Dr. Mary Templeton at the board’s regular meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 25.

“I look forward to representing District 2 community members,” Hancock stated in a press release sent to media after the board’s announcement Tuesday night. “My main priorities as their board director are transparent communications, fair representation, being accessible and continuing to be a vested member of the community.”

According to the release, Hancock is the mother of two WSD students, a past employee at Gause and Cape Horn-Skye elementary schools and Canyon Creek Middle School and a longtime volunteer at Cape Horn-Skye.

In her application to be considered for the board appointment, Hancock said she has volunteered on multiple class field trips over the years, is a past vice president of the Cape Horn-Skye Boosters, was a committee member for the Vote Yes for Safe Schools Bond and is the 2018-19 volunteer coordinator for the Washougal Schools Foundation Stride event.

“Being a school board member has been in the back of my mind since attending my second board meeting years ago,” Hancock stated in the release. “I felt that this was somewhere that I belong and could make a difference when the time was right. Washougal is at a turning point in many ways and I am very excited to become a part of the process.”

After her swearing-in ceremony Tuesday, Hancock joined the rest of the school board, except Board Chair Cory Chase, who was absent, for the remainder of the meeting.

“The board of directors and myself are pleased to welcome Angela to her new position,” Templeton stated in the release. “We are excited about her energy and passion for our school district and are eager to have her join the other four board members in the work of guiding the direction of the Washougal School District.”

On Sept. 19, the board interviewed Hancock and one other candidate, Dr. Ronald Snyder, a pediatrician who wanted to see WSD’s graduation rates and test scores improve.

Hancock replaces Pfeifer, who resigned this summer after 14 years on the board.

Hancock will serve the remainder of Pfeifer’s term, and be eligible to run for another four-year term in 2019.