Vancouver resident Justin Forsman exposes what he claims is ‘propaganda designed to guilt the public into approving another school levy, even when the system has done little to earn the public’s trust’
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Every election cycle, we see the same thing: yard signs, emotional ads, and carefully worded articles telling us to “vote yes for the kids.” But voters in Battle Ground and across Clark County are starting to see through it. And right on cue, The Columbian published a piece in February titled “Voters split on Clark County school funding measures”—which was less journalism and more pressure campaign.
Let’s call it what it is: propaganda designed to guilt the public into approving another school levy, even when the system has done little to earn the public’s trust.
The article claims voters are “split,” but it conveniently avoids a serious discussion about why so many people are voting no. Here’s the truth: Washington already spends more money on public education than ever before—over $17,000 per student per year. That’s not speculation—that’s state budget data following the McCleary reforms.
So if we’re spending this much and still seeing under-resourced classrooms, stressed-out teachers, and declining outcomes, the problem isn’t lack of funding—it’s how the funding is being misused.
In district after district, money is being absorbed by top-heavy administrations, inflated salaries, and union-driven spending priorities. Some superintendents are making over $250,000 per year while basic classroom needs go unmet. Millions of dollars are lost in bureaucracy—not invested in student success.
Meanwhile, major unions aggressively back these levies—not because they benefit the average student, but because they grow institutional power and preserve the status quo. What’s missing? Oversight, transparency, and real reform.
Yet The Columbian article barely touches any of this. It frames opposition as ignorance or selfishness—as if the only reason someone would vote “no” is because they don’t care. That’s not just wrong—it’s disrespectful to voters who are simply asking a fair question: Where is the money going?
Let’s be absolutely clear—voting no on a levy isn’t anti-education. It’s pro-accountability. And I recommend Battle Ground residents and others think hard before automatically voting yes.
If school officials and political allies want support, they should first:
Publish detailed audits showing where the money goes
Cap administrative growth and salaries
Ensure funding goes directly to teachers and classrooms
Tie new funding to actual student outcomes, not feel-good promises
Until that happens, it’s reasonable—even necessary—for voters to withhold support. This isn’t about gambling with the future. It’s about stopping the cycle of waste and forcing the system to change. That’s how we actually help students—not by blindly throwing more money into a leaky bucket.
The kids deserve better. The taxpayers deserve better. And the voters deserve to hear the whole truth—not another emotional campaign dressed up as journalism.
Justin M. Forsman
Vancouver
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Since schools bonds are voted on and if passed, tax money should be transparent and quarterly or annual reports should be sent out to show where the money was disbursed, what district, etc. I think everyone would like to know what thier money goes for.
The author hit the nail right on the head! No accountability for falling test scores, buildings that are poorly taken care for, student vandalism and other behavior related issues and out of control administrative salaries. Yet the schools districts come to us and ask for more money with no real plans for getting things right.
It’s time to vote “NO”… show them who really controls the checkbook and start demanding changes to the way that our schools are managed and what is taught in them.
These days all you have to do is say “It’s for the Children” and people are dumb enough to vote for it without question…..
How does it Not hurt the kids? The lack of school funding adversely impacts academics, sports, and arts programs at their very core – unapproved budgets hurt the kids first and foremost! Costs of everything continues to go up and up, including our cost of living, cost of homeownership, cost of rents, cost of running a business, and yes even the costs of running schools. Schools are not immune from inflation and increased costs, and budget accountability isn’t achieved by defunding. Approve and get involved to enhance accountability of the budet.
The concept of throwing money and more money at school districts has been tried, and has proven to be a failure. Ever-increasing levies have brought us students’ failing test results and outrageous administrator salaries, as well as top-heavy staffs (too many office workers, not enough teachers).
It IS time to hold districts and schools accountable. It IS time to re-evaluate and withhold monies until accountability and improved test scores have been achieved.
The current style of throwing more and more money, and getting less and less return on those dollars, is a proven failure. The status-quo is NOT good enough.
Brent,
If school districts managed their budgets responsibly and focused on core education, this letter wouldn’t even exist. Unfortunately, far too much funding is being funneled into programs like DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), which have little to do with actual academic achievement and more to do with social engineering. These initiatives don’t raise the bar—they lower it for everyone.
Taxpayers are constantly being asked to hand over more money under the promise that “it’s for the children,” yet somehow the results never match the rhetoric. We don’t need LGBTQ history classes, and biological males shouldn’t be participating in girls’ sports or using girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms. Just identifying as female shouldn’t give boys access to private spaces meant for girls—that opens the door to serious risks and abuses.
It’s time to say enough is enough. Parents should reconsider whether public schools are still serving their children’s best interests, and we seriously need to look at defunding school systems that push ideology over education.
Brent, seriously—what world are you living in? Because it’s sure not the one the rest of us are trying to protect.