The Battle Ground School District released the funding and program cuts officially for the 2026-2027 school year. I encourage every community member to visit the District Website to see what was cut and the impact this will have on our schools. There are already lots of opinions on the Battle Ground Community Facebook page. Well, here is my opinion as a senior citizen, grandmother of high school graduates, and avid supporter of healthy schools. I hear ramblings of low graduation rates, teachers not teaching what's expected, curriculum that parents do have the option to opt out of, administrators making too much money, etc. etc..... the facts that so many people don't seem to understand and research is: The State of Washington only gives a percentage of what's really needed to support healthy schools and programs to any district. Maybe it's time for everyone to address their respective state legislator to push for more funding? Or how about asking the businesses in our community to pitch in donations to school programs that are probably tax-deductible?
One of the people I admire is MacKenzie Scott (former Bezos), who gives away her divorce settlement money to organizations she believes deserve it. Any family with children thinking about making Battle Ground their home will think twice about this move. Program cuts, large class sizes, reduced discipline support... my heart goes out to our students and their parents alike. I also want you to think about this: over the next 2 years, 268.3 positions will be eliminated. These are people who live in this community or very close. If the State steps in to take over our school district, and yes, that is a high possibility, some schools will be absorbed into other school districts (Ridgefield, LaCenter, Vancouver, Hockinson, possibly). The tax rates for these districts are even higher than those in Battle Ground. I am writing this letter because our students and schools mean a lot to me. Oh, lastly...... I am asking anyone reading this. Would you be willing to take a 10% or 20% pay cut to save jobs and programs that our students love and are involved in?
Thank You!
Eva-Maria Turner
Battle Ground
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