Budget cuts for 2026-27

BGPS will need to make approximately $20 million in cuts for the 2026-27 school year. Each of these cuts will have effects throughout the district. These cuts are due to a replacement education and operations levy failing in February 2026. The state does not fully pay for basic education, so cuts to essential programs and positions will be necessary. Rising costs and unfunded mandates have also put pressure on the district's budget.

As we plan to make cuts, there are three ways for you to be involved in the process.
While the following options are not meant to be a vote on the cuts, all feedback and comments will be carefully reviewed.

Share your input on budget cuts

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Attend a listening session

  • March 4 at Battle Ground High School 

  • March 11 at Prairie High School

Both sessions are from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public. Anyone may attend either or both sessions. Child care will be available.

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Balance the budget

Use a budget simulation tool called
A Balancing Act. The tool will allow you to adjust costs to identify cuts.

Expected to be available March 4 through March 18.

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Share your thoughts

Participate in a ThoughtExchange survey to communicate your thoughts on cuts and rate ideas shared by others.

Expected to be available March 4 through March 18.

Graphic showing where the money comes from: state general purpose 59.6%, state special purpose 23.6%, federal special purpose 6.5%, local taxes 6.6% (13% with educational levy), local nontax 3.4%, other sources 0.3%, other entities 0.1%. Total funding: $224,437,769

2025-26 budget with educational programs and operations levy funding for half of the school year. The levy ended in December 2025 and no replacement levy has been approved.

Timeline

Summer 2026: Cuts to staff positions take effect April 2026: Board approves action to reduce staff positions March 2026: Listening sessions and public input February 2026: Proposition 10 fails. This is the third consecutive replacement levy failure. December 2025: The education and operations levy approved in 2021 expires. Due to the levy failures in February and April 2025, there is no replacement levy to take effect.

 

Frequently asked questions

In the news

Battle Ground Public Schools facing substantial cuts after failed levy (Columbian)

BGPS leaders dive into district’s struggles leading up to another levy proposal (Reflector)

Battle Ground Schools superintendent highlights the burden of unfunded and underfunded state mandates ahead of the Feb. 10 election (Reflector)

Battle Ground to again run a school levy on Feb. 10 ballot (Columbian)

Battle Ground board hears testimony on staffing, programs looking to avoid future cuts (Reflector)

“We need to ask for what we need”: Battle Ground school leaders weigh levy options after double failure (Reflector)

BGPS superintendent outlines cuts if double levy failure occurs (Reflector)

Battle Ground, Prairie face possible ‘devastating’ defeat if levy fails to pass (Columbian)

Battle Ground schools: ‘No matter how much we don’t want this to happen, cuts are going to happen' (Columbian)

Battle Ground students, parents plead to preserve programs (Reflector)

District financial information

School funding 101: Get the basics

Budget cuts for 2025-26

As a result of a replacement education and operations levy failing twice in 2025, the made significant budget cuts for the 2025-26 school year.