What are Battle Ground Public Schools’ next steps when it comes to its replacement levy that failed during February’s special election? For starters, the district plans to run the levy again in 2021, but a date is still to be determined.
At last week’s special board meeting solely devoted to levy discussions, deputy superintendent Denny Waters outlined in a presentation to board members a stark realization of what could happen if the district suffers a double-levy failure.
The district faces budget cuts of up to $30 million over the next two years in programs and staffing without a levy.
With 47.53 percent yes votes, the district’s replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy failed to reach the 50 percent, plus one, threshold for passing during the Feb. 9 special election. Out of the 46 districts statewide that ran a February levy, Battle Ground was one of four districts that had its levy fail. Camas, which had two replacement levies on the ballot, passed both.
Local levies can run twice in a calendar year, and the district laid out for board members three possible dates to rerun it. The board passed on an April date option, and is opting for an August or November run date to have enough time to gather public feedback and, if needed, adjust the levy package.
A run date will be decided later this spring.
The levy represents 14 percent of the total general budget, and makes up funding not provided by state or federal dollars. Waters said multiple programs and staffing could be impacted should the cuts be necessary.
He said the district could “survive” in 2021-22 by using money from fund balance to offset what would be cuts in curriculum, social/emotional learning, capital improvements and middle school sports. But that still would leave the district $3 million short for staffing needs. However, that fund balance wouldn’t cover losses for future years.
He warned the significant cuts will hurt for years to come.
“I’m not trying to be dramatic,” Waters said. “That is the reality of it. It will take us years to recover from this.”
