Fact checking the misinformation 🔎
Recently there has been some misinformation and even disinformation circulating in our community. Here are the facts.
District priorities
❌ Myth: Battle Ground's priorities are to violate Title X and usurp parental rights
✅ Fact: Battle Ground's priorities are high-quality instruction, safe and caring learning environments and collaboration that cultivates trust
At a recent board meeting, the district stated that it believes parents are students’ first and most influential teachers. They value strong family partnerships and are committed to working collaboratively to support every child’s learning and growth.
The district does follow state laws, which prevent discrimination. In addition, the district has stated that it believes in the value of each and every student. Not following state laws would put the district at risk of losing state funding, which makes up the majority of its budget.
Source:
Spending
❌ 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 time
Why did expenditures increase? Reasons include:
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Staffing increased by 118 employees between 2019-20 and 2024-25.
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Battle Ground Virtual Academy was added.
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The district added safety and security, counseling support, multilingual, special education support, health staff and coaches for middle school sports (which are now gone because of the levy failure)
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Enrollment went up (see below), which requires more staff.
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Inflation drove up the cost of materials, supplies, utilities, insurance, etc.
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Unfunded state mandates put pressure on the district's budget. Going forward, these mandates will cost BGPS an estimated $17.30-$29.68M in one year.
Source: January 26 school board meeting
Student enrollment
❌ Myth: Battle Ground's enrollment is decreasing
✅ Fact: Enrollment is increasing
Although it is accurate that the district has fewer students than it did in 2019, it is false to suggest that enrollment is going down.
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In 2021-22, the year that the last EP&O levy was approved, the district had 11,885 students.
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In 2025-26, the district has 13,103 students. That's a 10.25% increase.
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Enrollment is estimated to grow to 14,500 students by the year 2033.
Sources: OSPI Report Card and January 26 school board meeting
Test scores
❌ 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. More than 60% of students show at least foundational grade-level knowledge in science and math.
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The chart shows Battle Ground's percentages of students in levels 2, 3 and 4. These levels mean that students demonstrated foundational grade-level knowledge.
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The claim that half of students are failing looks at only levels 3 and 4. Using only levels 3 & 4 to say if a student is meeting standards is incorrect. Those levels show that a student is on track for college-level learning without needing a remedial course. Not every student goes to college. Each student has their own path. It does not mean that they are below grade level.
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The district stated that it believes test scores are important and continues to work toward raising them. We need to support that effort by providing adequate resources. Critics of the levy who are using test scores as a reason to vote no have not offered a single meaningful solution for the raising the test scores they claim to care about.
Source: OSPI and Report Card