Listening sessions are designed to collect input on cuts that will need to be made for the 2026-27 school year

Following the failure of its proposed replacement educational programs and operations levy, Battle Ground Public Schools will hold two listening sessions to collect input on cuts that will need to be made for the 2026-27 school year. The listening session dates are:

• March 4 at Battle Ground High School 
• March 11 at Prairie High School

Both sessions are from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public. Anyone may attend either or both sessions. Child care will be available.

In addition to these sessions, people will be able to provide their input via two online tools.

• Budget simulation: Participants can adjust costs to balance the budget for next school year.
• ThoughtExchange survey: Participants can provide their ideas and feedback on the budget, as well as rate their agreement with ideas shared by others.

The simulation tool and ThoughtExchange survey can be accessed from battlegroundps.org/budget-cuts March 4-18. 

Without local levy funding, BGPS will need to make approximately $20 million in cuts for the 2026-27 school year. The reductions will require a close look at anything not fully funded by state, federal or grant money. This may affect areas such as student safety, staffing and programs, transportation, maintenance and more, as they are not fully funded. In Washington state, local levy dollars fund local priorities, like extra safety staff, counselors, nurses, sports and extracurricular activities, among other areas. 

The board will vote on a resolution regarding the reductions in April.

Information provided by the Battle Ground School District.