Student speakers told the Battle Ground School Board of Directors on Oct. 27 that the district’s recent levy failure has had a tangible effect on school sports, enrichment and staffing — and that some children are feeling the impacts in their day‑to‑day school experience.

"Since the levy failure, the loss of school sports has so far had a huge impact on students' mental health," said Sarah, an eighth‑grader who addressed the board during the student‑voice portion of the meeting. "For many of us, school sports were an important way to stay active and healthy...bringing them back would mean restoring something meaningful to our school and our community."

Student representatives Itzel Contreras Montiel and Toby Wynne told the board they surveyed students across a middle school the board visited and collected more than 90 responses. "School sports is at the top of that list," Wynne said, summarizing the results. The student reps said other common concerns were phone restrictions, food quality, homework, bullying, loss of librarians and increased class sizes.

The student reps described the method they used: a ThoughtExchange form and in‑person visits during lunch to solicit a broad range of student perspectives. "We had 94 participants," Itzel told the board, noting the responses included students who do not have regular access to electronic devices. She said the student feedback helped identify priorities across multiple grade levels, especially the desire to restore middle‑school sports and reduce overcrowding.

Board members acknowledged the students' reports on how reduced services affect school climate. Director Terry Tate, part of the board’s discussion later in the meeting, asked how the student input tied to board priorities; the student reps said the data will inform future student engagement and board tours.

The student speakers appeared to come primarily from Tukes Valley Middle School (presented as "TVM" during the meeting) and included several sixth‑, seventh‑ and eighth‑grade students who described positive school relationships while also flagging areas they want the district to restore or improve.

The student presentations were scheduled as part of the board’s regular agenda items on student voice and student and staff updates. The board did not take formal action on the student suggestions during the Oct. 27 meeting but thanked the students and said staff and members would consider the input in upcoming planning and school improvement work.

Ending

Board members praised the student engagement and the student‑led data collection, and student reps said they will continue visiting other schools in the district to gather broader feedback for the board’s review.