Battle Ground School District board reviews levy options, staff to prepare February ballot resolution

At a Nov. 10 special meeting, the Battle Ground School District board of directors heard staff warn that the district faces a two‑year funding shortfall unless voters approve a replacement Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy. Staff outlined two levy options and asked the board for direction so they could prepare a ballot resolution and a pro/con committee in time for Dec. 12 procedural deadlines.

Superintendent (speaker 2) told the board the district’s most stable revenue is state apportionment but that the loss of EP&O levy collections beginning in December 2026 would leave a significant funding gap. “We can't survive without a levy,” the superintendent said, arguing that without local replacement revenue the district will need deep program and staffing cuts.

Staff presented a community survey — conducted in early September with 250 respondents by phone and online and reported with a 95% confidence level and a ±6% margin of error — showing that safety and security ranked as the top community priority for levy funds, followed by smaller class…