BATTLE GROUND — Many within the room sniffled and shed tears because the Battle Floor college board on Monday unanimously accepted instructor and administrator layoffs in response to final week’s levy failure. The district will lower $20 million from subsequent college 12 months’s price range.
“I’m sorry,” Superintendent Denny Waters mentioned, choking again tears as he spoke. “It is the single biggest disappointment of my 38-year professional career.”
Battle Floor went again to voters April 22 with a four-year, $166.3 million alternative levy that had failed in February. On the second strive, the measure acquired 12,020 “no” votes (51 %) to 11,547 “yes” votes (49 %) as of Tuesday morning, based on the Clark County’s elections workplace.
Cuts to sports activities, packages
Almost 30 elementary, center and highschool college students, together with mother and father and lecturers, stood in entrance of the board pleading to avoid wasting the ASPIRE magnet program for extremely succesful learners. Some even wore white T-shirts emblazoned with “Save Aspire.”
The ASPIRE program attracts third- via eighth-grade college students from quite a lot of faculties and even from outdoors the district.
“These kids have been together for up to six years. They’ve also been working nearly two grades ahead of the other classes,” sixth-grader Jax Kerrigan instructed the board. “Imagine learning from an eighth-grade textbook in sixth grade, and in seventh grade, going back a full year because of some cuts to the district.”
Jax and different college students mentioned their mother and father would carpool to eliminate the bus system and get monetary savings for the district. Mother and father requested the board to construct a committee to provide you with different options as an alternative of slicing this program and others.
Others advocated for center college sports activities, describing the impression it has on college students getting ready for highschool.
“The times I spent practicing and representing my school have been some of the best memories of my sixth year,” mentioned Maggie Miller, who participated in cross nation, soccer and monitor and discipline this college 12 months.
Maggie mentioned protecting center college sports activities is vital as a result of she’s discovered loads about not giving up and dealing with teammates. She mentioned membership groups outdoors of faculty are costly and never all college students have that chance.
Instructor, employees cuts
Not solely are academic packages and extracurricular actions on the chopping block, however about 170 full-time and 30 part-time employees positions are in danger, based on the district’s April 28 price range replace.
Many of the highschool place reductions are “not necessarily levy dependent, they’re enrollment and forecast dependent,” mentioned Shelly Whitten, the district’s deputy superintendent. She’s going to change Waters, who’s retiring, subsequent college 12 months.
Whitten mentioned enrollment is lowering, and employees with much less seniority are liable to dropping their jobs.
“I’m here to speak on behalf of myself and the 14 other teacher librarians in the district that are having their positions eliminated,” mentioned Ted Schelvan, who works at Captain Robust Major College. “So now that you are sounding the death knell for teacher librarians across our district and their continued demise across Clark County, I want you to consider who will help our students learn to identify and combat disinformation.”
The preliminary price range cuts are “the worst-case scenario,” Waters mentioned. “No final decisions will be made regarding what positions or what programs might ultimately be preserved until we have a clearer understanding of the outcome of the legislative session and the related budget implications.”
The district can faucet into the fund stability to offset a few of the losses created by the failed levy, he mentioned, however the fund stability is advanced.
Waters mentioned the varsity board needed to handle the cuts proper after the election as a result of the district is legally obligated to inform certificated employees by Might 15 if they could lose their job.
“But no matter how much we don’t want this to happen, cuts are going to happen,” Waters mentioned. “We make these decisions reluctantly, and I apologize to all of you.”
The gang cheered and clapped for Waters when he wanted to pause and settle his feelings. Board members wiped away tears, and people within the viewers handed round tissues.
“Schools have found themselves in the middle of a divisive political climate when one of the major political parties in the state sends out a flyer with misinformation and urging members of their party to vote ‘no’ on the Battle Ground levy,” Waters mentioned.
The Washington State Republican Celebration funded flyers opposing the levy that had been despatched to Battle Floor residents. The flyer in contrast the district’s expenditures from 2019-20 to 2023-24 and information of pupil efficiency and attendance, citing the state’s Workplace of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The flyer additionally alleged completely different genders had been permitted in locker rooms and restrooms, and the district stored secrets and techniques about kids from mother and father.
The Clark County Republican Celebration didn’t instantly reply to The Columbian’s request for remark.
“The student voice that we heard at the beginning of this meeting was powerful and incredibly meaningful,” Waters mentioned. “My wish is that all those who voted no on the levy would listen to it as well.”
Editor’s be aware: The article has been up to date to make clear the highschool place reductions.
