Get the facts about Battle Ground schools

Get clear, sourced information about Battle Ground schools, district funding, enrollment, student outcomes, and the issues affecting our community.

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Two girls holding signs that read ‘Vote Yes for Battle Ground Kids’ and ‘Our Schools, Our Community, Our Future,’ standing outdoors on a sidewalk, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Why the Levy Matters

Proposition 11 helps protect classroom staffing, student support and essential school services from deeper cuts.

Without Additional Funding
Another $13–15 million in reductions is projected for 2027–28.
Those reductions would come after the district has already reduced staffing, academic support, course offerings, sports and student activities following previous levy failures.

Protect Student Support

Levy dollars help support classroom staffing, academic assistance, student activities and services that help students stay engaged and successful.

Maintain Essential Services

Local funding helps pay for transportation, classroom materials, updated curriculum, technology, utilities, maintenance and other basic school operations.

Prevent Deeper Reductions

Proposition 11 would provide local resources to help avoid another significant round of reductions to programs and services beginning in the 2027–28 school year.

Strong schools depend on consistent local support. Proposition 11 helps provide resources beyond what state funding alone covers so Battle Ground schools can continue serving students, families and the community.

Where Local Levy Dollars Would Go

The levy invests in the people, programs and everyday essentials that keep Battle Ground schools operating and students supported.

Restore Reduced Programs & Services

Student emotional-learning support, additional activities and coaches, teacher training, and increased support for families, staff and students.

$2.84M

Employee Health Coverage

Mandatory employee health coverage not fully funded by the state for eligible employees.

$2.50M

Substitute Teachers & Staff

Coverage on days when a teacher or other staff member is sick or has taken a personal day.

$2.50M

Utilities & Energy

Water, power, waste management and other utilities for the district's 19 schools and other facilities.

$2.40M

Classroom & Operating Supplies

Classroom materials, office supplies, fuel, parts and other everyday items and services needed to operate schools.

$2.21M

Student Transportation

Repairing and eventually replacing older school buses and helping cover required benefits and pensions for transportation staff.

$2.18M

Updated Curriculum & Learning Materials

Current materials for math, science, social studies and English language arts, plus staff support for teachers implementing them.

$2.08M

School Maintenance & Repairs

Increased maintenance of school buildings and grounds, custodial operations and equipment repairs.

$2.06M

Insurance

Property, liability, equipment and other types of required district insurance.

$1.80M

Technology Support

Increased technology assistance, equipment and software for schools.

$1.49M

Communication & Financial Transparency

Increased communication about district finances and student outcomes.

$320K
Why It Matters
Without additional funding, the district projects another $13–15 million in reductions for 2027–28.
The district has already reduced staffing, academic support, course offerings, sports and activities following previous levy failures.

How much would Proposition 11 cost property owners?

The district estimates the levy rate at $1.76 per $1,000 of assessed property value per year.

Estimated Levy Rate
$1.76
per $1,000 of assessed value

This is the district's estimated annual levy rate beginning with collections in 2027.

Example: A home assessed at $650,000
Assessed property value
$650,000
$1,144
approximately per year
$95
approximately per month
The actual levy rate could be lower. The final rate will depend on new construction and changes in the total assessed property value within the district. If approved, the levy would begin collecting in 2027.

How much can the district collect?

Proposition 11 establishes a maximum voter-approved collection amount for each year.

2027
$37.03M
2028
$38.69M
2029
$40.43M
Voter-approved collection limit
By law, the district cannot collect more than the amount voters authorize—even if assessed property values increase.

Myth vs. Fact

There is a lot of information circulating about Proposition 11. Select a topic below to see the facts behind some of the most common claims.

District Spending Myth vs. Fact
Myth

District spending has increased by 36% since the 2019–20 school year.

Fact

District expenditures increased 27%, which is on par with inflation during the same period.

Why did expenditures increase?

Several factors contributed to increased district expenditures between 2019–20 and 2024–25.

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Staffing increased by 118 employees between 2019–20 and 2024–25.
• Battle Ground Virtual Academy was added.
• The district added safety and security, counseling support, multilingual services, special education support, health staff and coaches for middle school sports.
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Enrollment increased, requiring additional staff to serve more students.
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Inflation increased costs for materials, supplies, utilities, insurance and other everyday school expenses.
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Unfunded state mandates put additional pressure on the district's budget. Going forward, the district estimates these mandates will cost approximately $17.30–$29.68 million in one year.
Source: Battle Ground Public Schools, January 26 School Board meeting.
Student Enrollment Myth vs. Fact
Myth

Battle Ground's enrollment is decreasing.

Fact

Enrollment is increasing.

What do the enrollment numbers show?

While Battle Ground Public Schools has fewer students than it did in 2019, enrollment has been increasing in recent years.

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In 2021–22, the year the district's last EP&O levy was approved, Battle Ground Public Schools had 11,885 students.
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In 2025–26, district enrollment is 13,103 students — an increase of approximately 10.25%.
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Enrollment is projected to continue growing, reaching approximately 14,500 students by 2033.
Sources: OSPI Report Card and Battle Ground Public Schools, January 26 School Board meeting.
Student Test Scores Myth vs. Fact
Myth

More than half of all students are failing English, math and science standards.

Fact

More than 70% of students show at least foundational grade-level knowledge in English, and more than 60% do so in math and science.

What do these test score results mean?

The percentages below include students in levels 2, 3 and 4. Those levels indicate students demonstrated foundational grade-level knowledge or higher.

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The percentages shown reflect students who demonstrated foundational grade-level knowledge and above in each subject area.
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The claim that “more than half of students are failing” generally counts only levels 3 and 4. Using only those two levels leaves out students in level 2, who demonstrate foundational grade-level knowledge.
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Levels 3 and 4 indicate stronger readiness for college-level learning without remediation. They are not the same thing as determining whether every student below level 3 is “failing.”
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The district continues to identify improving student achievement as an important priority. Academic support, staffing and instructional resources all play a role in helping students make progress.
71.1%
English Language Arts
Foundational grade-level knowledge or higher
64.4%
Math
Foundational grade-level knowledge or higher
66.4%
Science
Foundational grade-level knowledge or higher
Sources: OSPI Report Card and Battle Ground Public Schools.

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