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About Proposition 11

To develop the proposed levy, the district reviewed input by community members, parents, staff and students.

How levy funds would be used

A school resource officer talks with a student

More student supervision and safety/security measures

Safety is consistently cited as a priority in surveys about the district’s budget. State funding alone pays for 2 security positions for the district, which spans 273 square miles and includes 19 schools.

What would be funded:

  • Increased school supervision

  • More campus security and school resource officers

  • Increased bullying/discipline response

  • Increased safety training/preparedness

Amount: Approximately $2.04 million in first year for 12,800 students

A student raises their hand in class

Additional student instruction and resources

Increasing test scores and high school graduation rates are objectives in the district’s current strategic plan.

What would be funded:

  • Up to date teaching and learning materials (curricula)

  • Help for students in core subjects like reading and math

  • Programs that help students make up credits needed to graduate

Amount: Approximately $1.44 million in first year for 12,800 students

A student high fives a staff member

Increased focus on student well-being

Research shows that missing more than 10% of school days for any reason, whether it is an excused or unexcused absence, can result in students having difficulty learning to read by the third grade and graduating from high school.

What would be funded:

  • Attendance tracking/improvement

  • Responding to student behavioral needs

  • Staff who partner with parents and guardians to support student mental health

  • Services to help students make healthy choices

Amount: Approximately $1.34 million in first year for 12,800 students

A student works on a fence building project

More classes to prepare students for jobs and life after high school

At any given time, 37% of BGPS high school students are enrolled in a Career or Technical Education class (vocational). The number of Career and Technical Education classes has been reduced by 12.7% due to budget cuts.

What would be funded:

  • Restoring some Career and Technical Education classes that were cut. These classes prepare students for future jobs, apprenticeships, the military and/or college.

    • If approved by voters, the levy also would support the ongoing operation of programs such as the construction trades.

Amount: Approximately $1.19 million in first year for 3,071 students

If approved by voters, the levy also would support the ongoing operation of programs such as construction trades.

A teacher works with students in a classroom

Smaller class sizes

Recent budget reductions resulted in the elimination of 16% of teaching positions in the district. As a result, class sizes have increased.

What would be funded: Staffing for more classes, which would reduce average class sizes and increase individualized instruction for students.

Amount: Approximately $2.84 million in first year for 7,243 students

A student looks at the camera

Special education

Approximately 15% of BGPS students receive special education services. The district is underfunded in special education by $3.74 million to $6 million.

What would be funded: Services for students with higher needs and/or disabilities, such as aides, individualized instruction and/or accommodations, scheduling and behavioral support.

Amount: Approximately $4 million in the first year for 1,920 students

A football game

Additional student activities

Washington state does not provide any basic education funding for sports, clubs or co-curricular activities (e.g., SkillsUSA, band, theater, student leadership).

What would be funded:  Extracurricular activities and sports, including some high school sports previously eliminated in budget cuts. Washington state does not provide any basic education funding for sports and extracurricular activities in public schools.

Amount: Approximately $1.80 million in first year for 1,500 students

Additional ways that levy funds would be used

Item

What would be funded and amount

Some programs, positions and services temporarily reduced or eliminated for the 2026-27 school year

What would be funded: Staff who work with students on emotional learning needs; coaches for additional student activities; increased training for teachers; and increased level of services for parents, guardians, community members, staff, and students.

Amount: $2.84 million in the first year

Employee health coverage

What would be funded: Mandatory health coverage not funded by the state for eligible employees.

Amount: $2.5 million in the first year

Substitute costs

What would be funded: Coverage on days when a staff member is sick or has taken a personal day.

Amount: $2.5 million

Utilities and energy

What would be funded: Water, power, waste management and other utilities for the district's 19 schools and other facilities.

Amount: $2.4 million

Instructional and operating supplies

What would be funded: Classroom materials, office supplies, fuel, parts and other items and services that schools and districts use to operate within state requirements.

Amount: $2.21 million

Student transportation

What would be funded: Repairing and eventually replacing older school buses. Funds also would be used to pay for mandatory health coverage and pensions for contracted transportation staff members.

Amount: $2.18 million

Updated teaching and learning materials

What would be funded: Teaching and learning materials that meet current standards in math, science, social studies and English language arts. Staff who work with teachers to implement materials.

Amount: $2.08 million

Building maintenance and repairs

What would be funded: Increased maintenance of school buildings and grounds, custodial operations and equipment repairs.

Amount: $2.06 million

Insurance

What would be funded: Property, liability, equipment and other types of insurance.

Amount: $1.80 million

Technology assistance

What would be funded: Increased technology assistance, equipment and software for schools.

Amount: $1.49 million

Increased communication and financial transparency

What would be funded: Increased communication about district finances and student outcomes.

Amount: $320,000

See answers to questions about Prop. 11

The district will hold a public information night on Thursday, Oct. 8. Get the details.