My husband and I moved our young family back to SW Washington in 2010 after being gone for 8 years, and we made Battle Ground our home. Our son started 3rd grade at Daybreak Primary and our daughter attended preschool nearby. Because we owned our own healthcare business down the street, I was able to schedule a few hours, one afternoon a week, to volunteer in the kids’ classrooms as they went through primary and early middle school, switching to district-wide volunteering in the years since. As a result, I have met a lot of amazing, dedicated, and caring teachers, support staff, and administrators along the way. Most, if not all, of them remain in the district today in one capacity or another and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of students and families in this community.
Fifteen years ago, we didn’t have positive behavioral intervention and support specialists or staffed SEL support rooms. My kids never got to participate in middle school sports, because they didn’t exist in this district. Unfortunately, my kids were always a step ahead of where implementation of these positive character-building programs were being made. They would’ve benefited tremendously, as all ages do today. It is this first-hand knowledge and experience that drives me to continue to support BGPS by voting yes for the upcoming replacement levy. I do not want any student or family in this district to know what it's like to not have these critical programs and resources.
Ask any police chief, city councilor, or business owner what the “secret sauce” is for a safe, welcoming, and thriving community and economy. They will all say, “good schools”, without hesitation. The physical, mental, social, and emotional health, safety, and wellbeing of this community depends on the services BGPS provides. And without levy dollars, the district, who already maintains a fiscally responsible and lean budget, will have no other choice than to cut them. Please join me in supporting this community by supporting BGPS. Vote yes for this crucial replacement levy. And don’t forget to sign and return your ballot by April 22nd.
Aly Strappazon
Battle Ground
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