The Battle Ground School Board of Directors approved several policy and contract actions during its Oct. 27 regular meeting, and heard extended public comment on governance and discipline.

Votes and approvals

- The board approved the meeting agenda (motion passed 5–0).
- The consent agenda (minutes, personnel, completed projects, donation approval including a Prairie High School volleyball boosters donation) passed 5–0.
- Revisions to Policy 3241 (Student Discipline) were approved 5–0 after staff presented edited language and board discussion. District staff said the revision removed some previously used terms and replaced them with phrasing such as "each and every student" and "fairness" to align with the district strategic plan and legal guidance; staff and board members discussed data review and disproportionality monitoring as part of implementation.
- The board ratified a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with Public School Employees (PSE) for classified staff (contract covers Sept. 1, 2025–Aug. 31, 2028) and includes a wage re‑opener for June 2026; the motion to approve passed 5–0.
- Policy 5011 (staff harassment) revisions to align with current Title IX/Title IX‑related guidance were approved 5–0.
- Several governance and organizational policy updates were approved as presented, including Policy 1111 (oath of office) and Policy 1210 (annual organization meeting) (both approved 5–0).
- The board considered a proposed new Policy 1821 (standards for individual school directors); the first reading was approved 4–1 (one member opposing) and the item will return for a second reading.

Public comment and context

More than a dozen community members spoke under citizens' comments, touching on issues that influenced board discussion. Mary Mendoza Hansel, president of the Battle Ground Education Association, urged the board and community to avoid vilifying educators and defended unions’ role in representing staff and improving classroom conditions. Several parents, clergy and residents urged differences in discipline policy and enforcement, expressed concerns about "culturally responsive" discipline language, or called for action on staff conduct. Commenters cited federal Title VI and state discipline guidance; others urged consistency in discipline across groups and asked the board to ensure due process.

Board discussion

Board members discussed how disproportionality data is reviewed and what district response is appropriate when data shows disparities. Staff said the district’s district‑office committee and school administrators monitor discipline metrics, including special‑education cases where individualized approaches are often required, and that any required changes are implemented through targeted interventions and reporting to the state. Directors stressed the need for fairness, clarity and due process in discipline practices while recognizing the complexity of responding to individual student needs and safety concerns.

Next steps

Policy 1821 will return for a second reading at the board’s next meeting; staff also will provide school improvement plans and continued assessment follow‑up in December as part of the board’s oversight of strategic goals.

Ending

The meeting closed after the board adjourned at 8:50 p.m. following routine future‑events announcements and scheduling of a November levy work session.