Battle Ground Faces Third Vote on Unpopular School Levy as Costs Climb
Battle Ground Public Schools is making a rare third attempt to pass a replacement levy Feb. 10. This special election follows two failed votes in 2025. Currently, the district operates without any local levy funding. This loss equaled 14% of its total budget. Consequently, previous failures forced $26 million in cuts. Officials eliminated 170 staff positions. Furthermore, they canceled all middle school sports.
High Costs Drive Voter Resistance
The new proposal would begin in 2027. However, it has met strong community resistance. Property values in the area have hit record highs. As a result, many residents say they cannot afford more taxes. On a median-priced home of $600,000, property taxes would rise by about $1,000 per year.
Amanada Richter, the Director of Communications & Community Engagement for the Battle Ground School District says failure to pass this levy could lead to almost $20 million dollars in cuts.
“We really hope that the community will get behind this levy this time” Richter said in response to a question about community support for the levy.
According to the school district website, levy dollars would help maintain current career and technical education classes and programs. They also would help maintain classes that prepare students if they are going to college.
Levy dollars would pay for curriculum that is up to date and address the knowledge and skills that students need to enter the workforce.
Taxpayers Feel the Squeeze
The resistance is not just about the money. Specifically, many voters feel the district is not listening. Residents recently passed a separate capital levy in 2024. Therefore, they feel the total tax burden is now too high.
Debbie Davisson has already mailed in her ballot with a “no” vote. Davisson, whose daughter went through the special education programs offered by the school district, says she cannot support this measure because of what it will do to her tax bill.
“I think they misuse money and I don’t feel like handing them more money” Davisson says. But it is what it will do to her property taxes that drives her choice. “I totally support education; the kids need all the tools necessary to achieve their goals” Davisson continues “But prove that you need the money if you want to raise my taxes $2.44 per $1000”.
Educational Programs at Risk
The impact of the cuts is already visible. For example, class sizes increased this year. Additionally, the district canceled the Kindergarten Jump Start program last fall. This move would end all high school extracurricular activities.
Jim Stewart also opposes the measure but, in his case, he points the finger as the district administration. “They have too many administrators who make way too much money”.
Stewart wants the district to do a better job managing their money. He too had two children who went through the Battle Ground schools.
Ballots are arriving in mailboxes now. The results will show if the third try is the charm. Otherwise, the “levy cliff” will become a permanent reality for the district.
