On Feb. 13, Battle Ground Public Schools is running a construction bond measure. There will be those of us who will be voting yes and those who choose to vote no.
This letter is directed to the readers who have yet to decide their vote.The passage of this bond would demolish and rebuild the Glenwood (built 1956), Laurin(built in 1965) and Pleasant Valley (built in 1975) campuses. It would build a new K-8 campus to accommodate overcrowding issues on land the district purchased several years ago in anticipation of the rapid growth it is now facing.
Prairie High School (built in 1979) and Amboy Middle School would benefit with renovations. There are also plans to develop a new Alternative Learning campus on district land. All schools would see improvements to safety and security issues and technology modernization.
Some of you may be asking, “why aren’t the builders or new home buyers paying for the new schools?” With every new home or apartment complex built, impact fees are collected. Impact fees can only be used for new classrooms or new growth. Last year, Battle Ground Public Schools collected more than $5.8 million in impact fees.
Last summer, the installation of a new 10-plex classroom modular was approximately $3.5 million. While these 10-plexes help with the increase of students, impact fees cannot be used to remodel libraries, gyms or lunchrooms to accommodate that growth. Growth puts a strain on these core facilities.
As someone who has been an active community volunteer in our schools for over 20 years, I know the importance of this bond. I am asking the undecided readers do some research on the details atbattlegroundps.org/bond. Better yet, make an appointment at one of the local schools and learn first-hand the issues our students/staff are facing daily.
Please join me in voting yes on the Feb. 13 Battle Ground Public Schools bond measure. Strong schools equal great communities.
