Contagious Measles Case Triggers Alarm at Ridgefield High School

# Clark County Public Health: A Regional Leader in Community Health Protection **Clark County Public Health** (CCPH) serves as a comprehensive public health department dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of residents across Washington State and contracted regions. The organization operates under the leadership of Public Health Director Alan Melnick and Deputy Health Officer Steven Krager, managing multiple divisions focused on disease prevention, environmental health, and emergency preparedness.[6] ## Historical Development CCPH has evolved significantly since its establishment in 1929 as the Clark County-City Health Department.[4] The organization underwent several structural changes, including formation as part of the SW Washington Health District in 1970 and eventual transition to a county department in 2003.[4] This evolution reflects the organization's commitment to adapting its governance structure to better serve communities. ## Core Functions and Services The department operates through specialized divisions addressing infectious disease prevention and control, environmental public health, chronic disease prevention, and emergency preparedness and response.[6] Key programs include immunization efforts, communicable disease management, food safety, tuberculosis control, and zoonotic illness monitoring.[6] CCPH also provides vital statistics services, health assessments, and community engagement initiatives focused on healthy families and communities.[6] ## Regional Impact CCPH's influence extends beyond Clark County boundaries. Since 2019, the department has contracted with Cowlitz, Skamania, Wahkiakum, and Pacific counties to provide regional health officer services, demonstrating its recognized expertise and capacity.[4] ## Mission and Significance The organization continues a public health tradition responsible for dramatic improvements in life expectancy—from 49 years in the early 1900s to approximately 80 years today.[4] CCPH influences health-promoting conditions including access to affordable foods, clean water, and safe neighborhoods while minimizing disease outbreak impacts through

**Ridgefield School District (RSD)** operates public K-12 schools serving Ridgefield and surrounding areas in Clark County, Washington, with a motto of "Horizons in Learning" and a focus on academic excellence and personalized education.[2][6] Encompassing five main schools—Ridgefield High School (grades 9-12, Spudders mascot), View Ridge Middle School (7-8, Herons), Sunset Ridge Intermediate (5-6), South Ridge and Union Ridge Elementaries (PK-4), plus a preschool—it educates around 4,118 students with 227 full-time teachers, yielding small class sizes amid rapid growth from a 2015 count of 2,499.[1][2][8] Established to support the Ridgefield area's educational needs, RSD has built a **glowing reputation** for high state test scores and achievement, drawing a district population of about 17,000.[3] A pivotal 2012 $47 million voter bond funded new facilities, sports fields, and infrastructure to handle expansion, including View Ridge Middle's 2018 move to a modern campus near Ridgefield High.[3] Key achievements include growing numbers of National Board Certified teachers and consistent top ratings on platforms like Niche (4.08/5 from 37 reviews) and GreatSchools, praising rigorous STEM, Pre-AP courses, and extracurriculars like track that prepare students for entrepreneurship and college.[1][7][5] Currently, RSD aspires to be Washington's premier district through community partnerships, offering athletics, family resources, and tools like ParentSquare for engagement.[6] Positive reviews highlight supportive teachers and school pride, though some note accessibility challenges for disabled students.[1] With strong academics and a tight-knit community feel, RSD stands out in business and tech circles for fostering future innovators in a booming region—evident in motivated learners eyeing entrepreneurial paths.[1][

**Ridgefield High School: Connecticut's Premier Educational Institution** Ridgefield High School (RHS) is a public secondary institution serving grades 9-12 in Ridgefield, Connecticut, as part of the Ridgefield School District.[1] Opened in 1972, the school currently serves over 1,700 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.[2][5] The school has established itself as a nationally recognized academic leader since its founding.[2] RHS ranked in the top 10 percent of Newsweek's 2015 list of America's top high schools and maintains top-10 status among Connecticut's public high schools according to 2026 Niche rankings.[2][6] The institution offers a rigorous curriculum including 20 AP classes, UConn Early College Experience courses, and Project Lead the Way engineering programs.[4] Academic performance metrics reflect RHS's excellence: 89% of students achieve proficiency in reading, 65% in math, with an average GPA of 3.69 and a 98% graduation rate.[1] The school maintains a consistent 1% dropout rate and 95% daily attendance.[4] Students regularly earn prestigious honors, including National Merit Scholarships, Presidential Scholar designations, and full-ride college scholarships to universities like Duke and University of Virginia.[4] Beyond academics, approximately 65% of the student body participates in interscholastic athletics, with the school competing in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference.[4] RHS offers diverse extracurricular activities designed to provide well-rounded education that colleges value.[2] The school's mission emphasizes creating "a highly engaging and personalized learning environment that encourages individual growth, resilience, citizenship, and empathy."[2] Modern facilities