Growing up in Battle Ground, I have often heard people complain about increasing crime as the city grows. I have never met any citizen who would argue the key to solving this problem might be to cut the police department budget by 13%. We hear plenty of folks upset at the condition of our roads, but I've never heard it suggested that reducing the Public Works budget might incentivize them to fix the issue.
This is why I find it strange when people voice opposition to the replacement levy for the school district, as if voting no and forcing substantial budget cuts might somehow improve test scores, absenteeism, graduation rates and student behavior.
"The district needs to learn to live within a budget" is a common critique, ignoring the fact the levy on the April 22 ballot is a replacement for an existing levy that expires after this year. Absent this funding, the district will need to find $20 million worth of cuts, to start. So, what they are actually saying is the district needs to learn to live within LESS of a budget than they have had.
"Just need to cut administrative costs" is another familiar refrain. All administrators throughout the district (superintendent, deputy super, directors, principals and assistant principals) account for roughly $12 million of the budget. Even a 20% cut in administrative costs would close the impending gap by a mere $2.4 million, leaving another $17.6 million in cuts to go. Not one individual I've asked has been able to suggest cuts beyond administrators without impacting students, nor do they seem to be aware of what administrators actually do.
"They need to get rid of the woke BS, and then I'll vote yes," says the naysayer. What defines "woke" is largely a matter of personal opinion, but from my observation, what most people are labeling "woke" are just lessons that boil down to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "dude, be nice." And, if you doubt that, request to review your child's curriculum. It is always a matter of public record. Or join the curriculum review committee and be involved in the selection process.
The bottom line, to me, is this: Should this replacement levy be approved, my property tax bill in 2026 will go up by between $15-17 a month. As tight as things may be, I can find that money a lot easier than the district can find $20+ million in cuts.
If the replacement levy doesn't pass, you'll end up paying in other ways: Higher crime, because young people don't have things to do after school. Lower property values, leading to higher individual taxes. Deferred maintenance as repair budgets are slashed. And, in the worst case scenario, a district collapse, resulting in absorption into surrounding districts, all of which have much higher local tax rates than we are paying now.
Call these scare tactics if you will, but they are reality. And reality can often be a scary thing.
Chris Brown
Battle Ground
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