Battle Ground resident Josh Wilde offers his support for the Battle Ground Public Schools levy
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Prominent British statistician Claus Moser once said, “Education costs money. But then so does ignorance.” This simple truth captures why investing in schools is not optional: it is essential for the health of our community and the future of our children. A strong public education system benefits everyone—students, families, businesses, and the community at large. Battle Ground Public Schools (BGPS) exemplifies this commitment, serving a diverse and growing population with a wide range of programs designed to meet varied learning needs.
BGPS offers more Alternative Learning options than any other district in Southwest Washington, multiple graduation pathways, and a strong focus on Career and Technical Education programs, equipping students with skills for college, careers, and life after high school. Over the past five years, the district has upgraded facilities, improved safety and security measures, and strengthened transparency and community engagement, including regular Citizens Advisory meetings that allow residents direct access to administrators and board members.
Even with these improvements, the district faces real challenges. Aging facilities, rising costs, complex transportation needs, and the expiration of certain funding streams place pressure on resources. However, BGPS has managed these obstacles while maintaining the lowest local tax burden of any K–12 district in the county and achieving 15 consecutive years of clean audits. These accomplishments reflect prudent fiscal management and a commitment to accountability, ensuring that every dollar goes as far as possible to benefit students.
Public education nationwide is under pressure. The federal Department of Education is in flux, and state-level regulation often impacts local decisions in ways that may not align with community priorities. Across the country, school board meetings have become increasingly politicized, and it can be easy to feel frustrated or disconnected from the system. Add rising costs and economic uncertainty, and many taxpayers understandably hesitate to approve additional funding.
But we cannot solve these problems by withholding resources from the very institutions that create opportunity. After the last levy failure, BGPS was forced to cut 116 positions and eliminate programs many students and families rely on. Starving our schools is a false economy: the cost of underfunded education is measured not just in dollars, but in lost potential, missed opportunities, and diminished futures for our children. As a parent of two children in the district, I have seen the impact that previous cuts have had on programming. I cannot imagine how the district would adjust to another year without a local levy to fill gaps in state and federal funding. If approved, we would still enjoy a lower tax burden than neighboring districts across Southwest Washington.
Education is an investment, not a luxury. A well-funded school system cultivates knowledge, innovation, and civic responsibility while preparing students to navigate a rapidly changing world. While it is difficult to consider volunteering for additional expenses, the cost of ignoring the district’s needs would be far greater over the long term. BGPS has proven its dedication to students and the community, balancing fiscal responsibility with a commitment to quality education.
For the sake of our children, our families, and our community, we cannot afford another levy failure. Please join me in voting yes in support of Battle Ground schools.
Josh Wilde
Battle Ground
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I would ask the author several questions: (1) how much money is enough? Nearing $20,000 per student per year average for the state; (2) Is the doubling if spend per student in the last 1o years enough? (3) what of test scores that are a travesty?
At some point we need to agree something is broken and we need to completely retool…but keep spending money? What do tax payers do when they have to choose whether to pay their rent/mortgage or food or utilities? What do those on fixed income do when there simply isn’t enough to go around?
According to State information, 50% of BGSD “teachers” make between $110K and $150K, (for LESS than 6 months of actual “work”) while the “superintendent” makes $267K. YET the Grade Level Proficiency for students in the BGSD is barely 40%. Think about that… All those big bucks going to failures; 40% is FAILURE. And these “people” want MORE money? And, worst of all, WE the people paying property taxes are being CHEATED BIG TIME by these failures.
Why have the efforts that BGSD put into alternative learning and other “educational pathways” led to better state test scores and a higher graduation rate? Why do we hear confirmed stories of teachers/students having to be in facilities that leak every time it rains (there is a middle school teacher that has dealt with a leaky room for close to 20 years)? Why did we see a number of new “administrative positions” appear during the COVID lock-down, but those positions stayed while other positions were cut with the last levy failure? Why do we see schools that are poorly maintained due to neglect/incompetence while a new Operations Building was just opened? Why are teachers provided materials for teaching science that are poorly put together, or in some instances, not provided? Why have some in BGSD and Citizens for Better Schools openly stated that in the event of a levy failure in February, they want “the parents to pay” for the failure? Is this how people that are financially supported by the community supposed to talk and act?
COVID showed the public how their schools have failed them and their children. Recent strikes by teachers and support staff that it’s not “for the children”, but about their bank account. BGSD and other districts in the country are at a crossroads: (1) continue with “business as usual” and watch the public say NO when a levy is proposed, or (2) start cutting the fat and seriously working on improving test and graduation rates (more time on the three “R’s” and less time on “social-emotional learning”) and cleaning up our schools.