Washougal school board taps new director

The Washougal school board has appointed Greg Retchless to its No. 1 director position, which was vacated by Jim Cooper when he resigned in January.

“Greg’s experience building and sustaining innovation programs will guide our work preparing our students for their future,” Washougal School District Superintendent Aaron Hansen said in a news release. “Greg has deep roots in Clark County, and his connections to businesses that hire our students and experience working at Cascadia Technical Academy will serve our students well.”

Retchless has served as a business owner, teacher, and volunteer for the Washougal Food Bank and other local organizations.

“I worked in the culinary industry, and it took me a number of years to find my direction. My pathway to being a teacher started with my struggle to find my own way,” Retchless said in the news release. “My goal in serving on the board is helping students, especially those who are struggling. We can help students to identify their passion, and then to build the experiences that they need to pursue a career in skilled trades, a career in the military, or continue to higher education.”

The board gathered applications from interested candidates in February and interviewed them, then appointed Retchless to the position during a special meeting March 10.

“Greg’s experience as a business person and the 30 years working as a teacher adds to our capacity as a board,” board President Sadie McKenzie said in the news release. “He has a strong background in Career and Technical Education programs, and we believe he can continue the great work Washougal has done to create robust career pathways in the skilled trades.”

The appointment is through November 2027, when Washougal voters will elect a permanent replacement.