A four-year replacement levy to fund a number of education programs for Battle Ground Public Schools is on track to pass on the measure’s second time in front of voters this year.
As of the fourth count of ballots in Clark County on Nov. 5, the levy had 10,127 votes, or about 53.8%, in support of the measure. The levy funds programs and resources across the district, from technology, to electives, to building maintenance and transportation.
The district placed a levy before voters earlier this year, but the ballot measure was defeated when about 52.4% of voters opposed the measure in February.
Following the first count of ballots, BGPS Superintendent Denny Waters was “extremely optimistic” about the way the numbers were trending.
“There’s a lot of good feelings for us right now,” Waters said.
The estimated rate of the levy is $1.99 per $1,000 of assessed value on properties, lower than the current $2.32 per $1,000 of assessed value. The new levy would cost residents about $123 less on their annual property tax on a $450,000 home.
If approved, the levy would collect $26.75 million in 2022, $28.2 million in 2023, $29.65 million in 2024 and $31.1 million in 2025.
The levy made up about 14% of the district’s budget in the 2020-2021 school year. Apart from funding programs already in place, the levy would also allow for the return of middle school sports in the district. Waters said a levy approval would let BGPS roll out those sports in January, beginning with boys and girls basketball.
Waters believes the return to full in-person instruction in the district helped secure more votes in favor of the levy. When the previous levy was up for a vote in February, the district was in a hybrid learning model.
Should the levy pass as of the election’s certification on Nov. 23, Waters said the district would have to go through a budget amendment process to reflect the revenue the levy will generate. When the district approved its budget for the 2021-2022 school year it was based on a no levy situation.
BGPS Board President Mark Watrin said the recently-formed citizens’ advisory committee for the district would discuss the implications if the levy is approved.
“I think that’s going to be an important factor,” Watrin said about the committee.
Watrin commented on seeing the unease among the board’s two student representatives as the district prepared for the vote.
“It means everything to the kids,” Watrin said. “When they’re unsure what the adults in the community are going to do, it’s a little nerve wracking.”
Waters expressed gratitude for the voters and for the members of Battle Ground Citizens for Better Schools, which campaigned in support of the levy.
“It sends a strong message that we do value education. We care deeply about the future success of our students,” Waters said. “We’re going to work really, really hard to make sure we take this district to the next level and can make everybody proud.”
