After months of financial strain and two failed levy attempts earlier this year, Battle Ground Public Schools leaders signaled support for a levy option and a February 2026 ballot measure.
The district’s current 2025-26 school year budget includes $14 million in cuts to staffing and programs, following voters’ rejection of the district’s replacement levy earlier this year. Should a new levy pass next year, the district would not be able to tap into the funds until the 2027-28 school year. Superintendent Shelly Whitten told the school board during a Monday, Nov. 10 work session that the district has reached a critical point.
“We know that this is a two-year problem,” Whitten said, noting the lack of a levy will continue into two additional school years if not passed. “If we can’t get this next levy try across the finish line, this will be a much longer problem for us, and we will be cutting more than $20 million as we go into this spring.”…