Central Valley Administrator Elected to
Middle School Principals’ Board

Bowdish Principal Dave Bouge to assume AWMLP leadership role

OLYMPIA–May 14, 2009—The Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and its middle level board announced today that Dave Bouge, principal, Bowdish Middle in Spokane Valley (Central Valley School District), will be the board’s next vice president. Bouge was elected by a vote of middle school members statewide.

Bouge will become vice president for the Association of Washington Middle Level Principals (AWMLP) for the 2009-10 school year, president-elect in 2010-11 and president in 2011-12.

“Dave is such a passionate advocate for students and for the middle level,” said Don Rash, director of middle level programs for AWSP. “He’s been a strong board member, and we’re excited that he will be increasing his leadership role within the organization.”

“Dave’s insights and understanding of the challenges facing middle level administrators will be beneficial to his colleagues,” Rash added. “He’s a wonderful addition to our team of officers, and we look forward to working with him in the months ahead.”

The 26-member middle level board meets quarterly and represents nearly 700 middle and junior high school principals and assistant principals from around the state. AWMLP is one of three grade-level boards that inform the work of the greater principals’ association. The executive committee includes the president, president-elect, past president, vice president, three-year AWSP representative, National Association of Secondary School Principals coordinator, regional director representative and the AWSP director of middle level programs.

Bouge has been an active member of both AWSP and its middle level board for several years. He currently serves as the Inland Empire Regional Director as well AWSP representative on the VEBA Trust board.

“I am honored to be assuming this leadership position with AWMLP, an organization that means so much to me,” said Bouge. “I am committed to contributing to the success of the Association and working with principals across Washington state to continue making schools better places for our kids.” 

Bouge entered the principalship in 1994. He has served as principal of Bowdish Middle—the same school he attended as a student—since 2005. Before moving into administration, he taught at the junior high and middle school level in the Central Valley School District.

Bouge earned a master’s degree in education from Whitworth College. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University.

About the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
The Association of Washington School Principals is a professional association serving principals, assistant principals and principals in training. Formed in 1972, the Association now includes more than 3,400 members from public and private elementary, middle and high schools statewide. It is governed by a board of practicing principals composed of members drawn from three grade-specific boards representing the elementary, middle and high school levels. The mission of AWSP is to support principals and assistant principals and the principalship in the education of all students. For more information on the Association, visit the AWSP Web site at www.awsp.org.

# # #