Board approves RIF resolution after failed levy; staff notices to be issued under May 15 deadline

The Battle Ground School District board of directors on April 28 voted 5-0 to approve Resolution C‑25, a preliminary step authorizing reductions in certificated staff and administration after the district's replacement levy failed by 527 votes.

Superintendent Denny told the board and the public that the approved resolution is the "first step" in a budget-balancing process driven by the levy defeat and statutory timelines for notifying certificated employees. "Tonight is our first step. It's just the first step in our budget balancing process," he said, and emphasized that the proposal presented to the board is a worst-case scenario that could change as the district finalizes its revenue picture.

The board heard a detailed budget briefing from Chief Financial Officer Michelle Scott showing that the district will lose levy revenue for two school years because of timing and that monthly payroll typically runs between $13 million and $15 million. Scott said a 250-student enrollment shortfall would reduce state funding by about $2.5 million and that the district has reserves and restricted fund balances that are not fully available to offset operating losses.

In presenting the resolution, staff told the board they must notify certificated staff by May 15, a statutory deadline the district said leaves little time to complete the required Labor/contract steps and, if needed, later modify personnel decisions. The board's resolution restates that the reductions are preliminary and reserves the board's right to reinstate positions if additional revenue becomes available or other factors change.

Board members and staff repeatedly framed the action as legally necessary and operationally difficult. The superintendent and CFO said the district would use available fund balance strategically, while cautioning that drawing down unrestricted reserves could harm cash flow and fiscal ratings. "If we use too much of it, we can put the district into further financial instability," the superintendent said, noting that some items recorded in the fund balance (for example, roughly $3 million in warehouse inventory) are not available to pay salaries.

Directors asked staff to seek community-led alternatives where possible and to work with volunteers, parent groups and potential partners to preserve high-priority services. Staff said some ideas already discussed include exploring voluntary parent transportation for magnet-program students and pursuing external fundraising or grants. The board also directed staff to proceed with the statutory reduction-in-force (RIF) process, displacement/recall procedures and contract notifications.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution C‑25 (reduction in force / notice of intent to modify educational program): passed 5–0. Vote recorded as Mary Snitley (yes), Jackie Maddox (yes), Debbie Johnson (yes), Ted Champine (yes), Terry Tate (yes). Student representatives recorded abstentions but are nonvoting for this action.

- Contract with Ameresco for Clean Buildings Act auditing and consulting (covered by state grants): passed 5–0. Staff said grants from the Department of Enterprise Services and the state Commerce Department will cover the auditing and planning work; the contract includes an audit portion listed at $144,212 and a consulting portion listed at $640,355.

What the vote means now

Board action authorizes administrators to begin legally required personnel notices and to continue budget development under a compressed timeline. Staff said these are not final layoff decisions; they are the legal steps that allow the district to meet state deadlines while continuing to evaluate revenues, the final state budget and possible one-time uses of fund balance.

Officials said affected staff will receive formal notices as required by contract and statute, and that classified-staff reductions will be handled on a different timeline. The board will consider reinstatements or program restorations if additional funding materializes.

The board adjourned into executive session to continue personnel discussions and scheduled follow-up budget work for late June and July.