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Budget cuts for 2026-27

BGPS made approximately $20 million in cuts for the 2026-27 school year, in addition to $14 million in cuts the previous year, due to the loss of local levy funding. Because the state does not fully pay for basic education, cuts to essential programs and positions were necessary. Rising costs and unfunded mandates have also put pressure on the district's budget.

Community input guided levy planning

Using stakeholder input, the district's board of directors considered different levy options and voted to place a new levy on the ballot in the November 2026 election. Learn more.

Reduction in force and other cuts for the 2026-27 school year

At a glance

  • The cuts were informed by stakeholder feedback that prioritized certain areas and encouraged making smaller reductions across multiple areas rather than cutting entire programs.

  • State funding alone is not sufficient to operate a school district the size of Battle Ground.

  • The district is in the midst of a sustained financial crisis, cutting approximately $34 million over two years and losing 268.2 positions that support students.

Read more about the district's financial challenges and the process of identifying the following cuts.

All numbers have been rounded.

See the full list of reductions & cuts
Budget reductions for 2026-27 school year. District office admin: 18%. Building admin: 15%. Classified: 9%. Administrative support: 8%. Certificated: 8%

Reductions by staff work group. 268.3 position reductions over two school years. 16% reduction in all staff since 2024-25 school year. The largest percentage of reductions is focused on district and building administrators and district administrative support roles.

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Input on budget cuts

As the district is working to identify potential cuts, there have been multiple ways for people to share their thoughts and priorities. We are grateful to those who took the time to provide input.

See the report on the input
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Frequently asked questions

  • Can the district switch to a four-day week?

  • Can busing be eliminated?

  • How are staffing decisions made?

See answers to FAQS

Budget cut timeline

Summer 2026: Cuts to staff positions take effect April 27, 2026: Board votes on reduction of 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.

 

District financial information

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

Budgeted operating expenses for the 2025-26 school year.

Learn more about the district's budget
Graphic showing where the money goes: 59.6% teaching activities, 12.6% teaching support, 16.9% other support, 5.8% school building administration, 5% central administration (includes administrative support). Total operating costs: $239,169,259

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. The district also is using $14.8 million of its fund balance (savings) in the 2025-26 school year.

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Getting to the core of school funding

School funding is a complex topic, and although the circumstances vary, districts across the state are also facing their own budget challenges. Here are three resources to help you learn more.

WA schools: Underfunded & overburdened
Understanding public school funding
School funding 101: Get the basics

In the news

Legislature puts school funding on back burner (Columbian)

School districts across Washington’s Clark County brace for budget cuts (OBP)

Battle Ground Public Schools receives community input as $20M in cuts loom (Reflector)

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)

Budget cuts for 2025-26

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