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Battle Ground board adopts Resolution C‑26, starting layoff process as district faces $20 million shortfall
Summary
The Battle Ground Public Schools Board unanimously adopted Resolution C‑26 to implement a reduced educational program and begin a reduction‑in‑force process after a $20 million budget shortfall tied to recent levy failures; administrators said the plan could cut about 137 positions and reshuffle programs, while staff and students urged caution to protect safety and supports.
The Battle Ground Public Schools Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt Resolution C‑26, a reduced educational program and reduction‑in‑force, after district leaders said the loss of local levy revenue and state funding left the district facing a roughly $20 million deficit.
Superintendent Shelley told the board the district has identified a two‑year aim to reduce about 268.3 full‑time position equivalents across multiple categories and that the initial plan for 2026–27 would remove roughly 137.2 positions “because 85% of our budget is staffing” and the district must balance costs after the triple levy failure. “This year we have a $20,000,000 deficit due to the triple levy failure,” Shelley said during the presentation, adding the reductions reflect efforts to remain legally compliant while preserving core academic instruction and supports for vulnerable students.
Why it matters: the board’s action begins the formal notification and personnel processes required under state law and collective bargaining agreements. Administration emphasized the resolution is the required first step to create a balanced proposed budget that the board will return to for a public hearing and final adoption later this summer.
What the resolution does: the measure directs the superintendent to lay off, reassign, reduce or transfer certificated and classified employees as shown in the attached exhibit and to provide timely notices of non‑renewal consistent with Washington law and district policy. District staff explained that reductions would include central office, building‑based staff and classified positions (custodial, maintenance, grounds, technology support), and that some programs would be restructured rather than wholly eliminated where possible.
Community concerns: Public commenters and district staff urged the board to prioritize student safety and mental‑health supports. Ray Dilley, a seventh grader and student engagement chair, told trustees, “You will vote on a reduction in force that will see approximately 137 staff positions eliminated,” and said cutting assistant principals, campus security, counselors and prevention intervention specialists would directly affect “whether students feel safe and supported.” SEL para Vanessa Tolan described more than 3,000 visits to her SEL room and said the proposed cuts make her “worried for my colleagues” and for student well‑being.
Administration’s mitigation and program details: staff said they sought to minimize total program eliminations and to preserve compliance‑driven services. Some employee groups agreed to furloughs or additional unpaid workdays and salary freezes to reduce impacts. Other changes described included reductions in building budgets, elimination of some middle‑school advisory blocks, a move from 1:1 Chromebooks to carts at some middle schools, a potential reduction in SRO coverage at some sites, elimination of K–8 general‑education summer school, and increased participation fees for athletics.
Next steps: The resolution authorizes the superintendent to begin notifications under collective‑bargaining and statutory timelines; the district will continue developing the budget through July and August and said it may restore positions if additional funding becomes available. The board also asked administration to keep outreach channels open and to hold listening sessions for staff and community members. Trustees said they will continue to review program‑level updates before final budget adoption.
Votes and other action at the meeting: the board also approved a grant/donation from the Community Foundation (Patrick Haug endowment) and a routine access easement for Glenwood/Lauren campus utility work; both passed unanimously. The formal vote on Resolution C‑26 passed with no recorded 'no' votes.
The meeting ended after trustees outlined upcoming work sessions and community listening opportunities; the board will return for further budget deliberations in summer sessions leading to final budget adoption.
