Battle Ground Public Schools currently has about $40.8 million in services and programs that are not covered by state or federal funding
At its Nov. 25 regular meeting, Battle Ground Public Schools’ Board of Directors voted unanimously on a resolution to place a replacement education and operations levy on the ballot. Proposition 8 will appear on the ballot for the special election on Feb. 11, 2025. If voters approve the levy, it would replace the expiring education and operations levy, which ends in December 2025. The replacement levy would begin in 2026 and end after 2029.
Education and operations levies fill the gap between state funding and what it actually costs to educate students. If approved, the replacement levy would fund student safety, instructional/support staff, class sizes, curriculum, nursing, mental health support, special education, busing, sports, the arts and more. It would provide funding for programs and services that affect students in every BGPS school.
If approved, the replacement levy would collect the following amounts:
- $38.30 million in 2026
- $40.40 million in 2027
- $42.60 million in 2028
- $44.98 million in 2029
The levy represents about 13 percent of the district’s operating budget. The district cannot collect more than the amount that voters approve. Property value increases do not generate more revenue for the district.
Battle Ground Public Schools currently has about $40.8 million in services and programs that are not covered by state or federal funding, including areas of basic education, special education, mental health support, busing, sports and more.
In addition, operating costs have seen increases. For example, the district’s insurance costs (including liability, property, equipment and other types) have collectively risen 84% in the past five years.
According to the district, state funding has not increased proportionately. State funding, adjusted for inflation, now provides less per student than it did in 2018.
To pay for these services and programs, the district is using its expiring education and operations levy as well as some of its unassigned fund balance, which has already been tapped to maintain services for students and retain staff.
Voters last approved an education and operations levy for BGPS in 2021 at an estimated rate of $1.99 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The actual rate in the first year of the levy was $1.97.
The estimated rate for the replacement levy is $1.95 per assessed property value for each of the four years of collection. The following chart provides an example of the amount that the owner of a property might pay toward this levy per month in the first year if it is approved.
| 2025(current levy expires) | 2026 (proposed levy could begin) | |
| Assessed value of sample home | $600,000 | $600,000 or $621,000 (with 3.5% increase in assessed value) |
| Monthly cost | $84 | $98 (estimated) or $101 (estimated) |
Levy information is available on the district’s website, social media accounts and through public presentations.
Some seniors and disabled homeowners who are disabled may be eligible for a property tax exemption based on income. Learn more.
Across Washington, approximately 97 percent of school districts rely on levy money to provide student programs and services.
Information provided by the Battle Ground School District.
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