In the January 2026 issue

➡️On your ballot: Replacement levy for student educational programs and operations
🔎See the facts about district budget, priorities
📰Read the latest issue of Your Battle Ground Public Schools, a student publication
🎨Laurin Middle School, Prairie High School students earn art awards
🗣️Battle Ground High School student competes in regional Poetry Out Loud contest
⭐January 2026 Employee Recognition Awards
🍳Battle Ground students featured on Our Future, Our Schools 
🔤Transitional Kindergarten shines in Battle Ground
💲School finance 101: Unfunded mandates
🤝School board meeting updates
📋Industry Fair returns Feb. 19
🔨Work continues on new Battle Ground Virtual Academy
🤼BGPS wrestlers dominate Clark County Championships
🎭Chief Umtuch Middle School presents Oliver Jr.
🎙️New episodes of the BG CAST podcast
🏫Jobs in BGPS
📣BGPS in the news

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Registered voters should have received their ballots for the Feb. 10 election. On the ballot is a replacement educational programs and operations levy. If approved, this levy would replace the educational programs and operations levy that ended in December 2025.

Levy funding would help to maintain classes and programs that give students the tools for today's economy, whether they are entering the workforce or going to college.

If the replacement educational programs and operations levy is approved, approximately 22% of the money would go toward school safety. Levy dollars would help pay for safety-focused positions including nurses; counselors; assistant principals, who oversee student discipline, among several more areas; and crossing guards.

From district priorities to increases in operating expenses: Find accurate information about the district's budget and the levy request. 

In this episode, Superintendent Shelly Whitten clarifies what the levy is; what it replaces; and what it would mean for students, schools, and the community. Hear what the district's priorities really are, why the district's enrollment is increasing and how state laws affect schools. Plus, debunking the misconceptions about test scores. Listen on:

Your Battle Ground Public Schools, formerly a district publication, was revived in spring 2025 by Rye Dilley, then a sixth grader at Tukes Valley Middle School. Read about this effort in The Columbian and check out the first issue. 

Now Rye is back with a small but mighty editorial team and adviser Amy Hanson. The second issue of Your BGPS includes a spotlight on Battle Ground High School senior Louie Ledbury, the district's new brand, the inaugural Legacy Night and much more!

Top photo: Editor Rye Dilley works on an issue of Your Battle Ground Public Schools. Photo by Valentina Reyes.

Battle Ground students and teachers: Do you have a student publication you would like to share? Let us know! Email communication@battlegroundps.org.

Congratulations to the students from Laurin Middle School and Prairie High School who earned awards in the student art contest at the 2026 Rose City Classic Dog Show! 🐾
🌟Kaia-Lynn, second place in the 9th & 10th grade category (second year in a row)
🌟Aria B., honorable mention in the 7th & 8th grade category
🌟Daria L. and Lacey H., honorable mentions in the 5th & 6th grade category

The theme of this year's contest was "Dogs at play." The Rose City Classic receives student artwork from all over the Pacific Northwest. Let's give these students a round of a-paws!

"I have been in theater and drama my whole life, so I just felt like this was a really nice poem to express the theatrical side of me." Student Josh Postupak is Battle Ground High School's Poetry Out Loud winner. This month, he participated in the regional competition. Watch his recitation of "The Conqueror Worm." Way to go, Josh!

Congratulations to these outstanding staff members!

Our Future, Our Schools highlights the positive things happening in public schools throughout Southwest Washington and beyond. 

Recently, a few of Battle Ground High School's advanced culinary arts students were featured on Our Future, Our Schools' Facebook and Instagram.

The new donor-funded website is a one-stop hub for uplifting stories, real classroom experiences and examples of student successes. The site shares the everyday moments that shape tomorrow’s leaders, creators and problem-solvers.

The week of Jan. 12, 2026, was a celebration of Battle Ground Public Schools’ Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students, staff, families and community. The celebration began with a group of TK students gaining public speaking experience during a school board meeting. Later in the meeting, TK teachers were recognized for their strong, data-driven collaboration that boosted students' counting skills by 37%.

Since the 2017–18 school year, kindergarten readiness across the district has increased from 52.5% to more than 70% in 2025–26, demonstrating the lasting impact of an investment in early learning programs like Transitional Kindergarten.

Each year, school districts across Washington receive several new state requirements. Although the requirements are purposeful and intended to support student outcomes, funding has not kept pace. 

An analysis of BGPS' budget found that in just one year, recent state mandates will create an estimated $17.30 million to $29.68 million in additional costs for the district. Examples of just some of the requirements include:

Ultimately, unfunded mandates limit districts’ ability to respond to student needs and increase the likelihood of program reductions unless state funding is aligned.

Thank you, board of directors!
January is School Board Recognition Month, and we want to acknowledge the work and commitment of our elected board members and student representatives. Board members are volunteers from the community who dedicate many hours each month to making policy decisions that directly affect student and staff experiences in Battle Ground schools and providing budgetary oversight. We are grateful for their work. The Battle Ground board includes: 

Recent meetings
BGPS’ board of directors recently held special meetings/work sessions and regular meetings in late December and January.

Dec. 22 special meeting/work session
The board reviewed information about the replacement educational programs and operations levy.

Jan. 12 regular meeting
The board approved new courses at CAM Academy, Battle Ground High School and CASEE for the 2026-27 school year.

Jan. 26 special meeting/work session and regular meeting
The special meeting/work session included a discussion of school improvement plans for Summit View and Prairie high schools.

During the regular meeting, the board approved the calendar for the 2026-27 school year and a request for proposal regarding USDA foods.

Upcoming meetings
Regular meetings will be held on Feb. 9 and 23 at 6 p.m. You are invited to attend all special meetings/work sessions and regular meetings in-person at the Lewisville campus (406 NW 5th Ave., Battle Ground) or watch the meetings online.

The 11th annual Industry Fair returns next month. This free, community event is open to the public and welcomes jobseekers of all ages, students, families and local employers.

In addition to the fair, a free resume workshop will be offered from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Battle Ground High School career center for any attendee who would like help creating or polishing a resume.

The Industry Fair offers a unique opportunity for attendees to connect directly with businesses and organizations, many of whom are hiring, from a wide variety of industries.

Whether you are exploring potential careers, seeking apprenticeships, looking for a job or interested in expanding your professional network, this event is designed to support career exploration and employment opportunities throughout Southwest Washington. 

Through Feb. 13, employers and organizations can sign up to host a free table at the fair. Representatives of all industries are encouraged to participate in this event, which drew more than 1,000 attendees last year. 

Battle Ground Virtual Academy is closer to having a permanent building on the Prairie High School campus. Earlier in January, crews placed the modular sections of the new building and began to install the roof. The anticipated completion date is summer 2026.

Construction is paid for with impact fees. Impact fees are paid by developers and buyers of new homes. They are different from money collected through property taxes. Learn more about the project.

The Norm Friehauf Clark County Championships were held Jan. 16-17 at Hudson’s Bay High School.

For the first time in Prairie High School's history, the Falcon boys wrestling team  earned the title at the county championships. Leading the way was senior Tommie Vick, who took home gold in the 138 lbs. weight class. In total, 17 Falcon wrestlers placed in the tournament.

Representing Battle Ground High School, senior Emet Ordway earned gold in the 215 lbs. weight class. In the 157 lbs. weight class, junior Andrew Gray took home gold as well. Six additional BGHS wrestlers placed in the tournament. The Tigers placed seventh in the boys' team rankings. 

Journey back to Victorian England in this musical adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Join the orphan Oliver as he learns lessons about life, love and friendship. Show dates and times:

This episode of the podcast features a conversation with Superintendent Shelly Whitten and Assistant Superintendent Lynnell Tsugawa-Murray. The Pleasant Valley Middle School band is in the spotlight. Listen on:

Episode 50 begins with a student spotlight featuring Eva Cryblskey, a River HomeLink violinist who was recently named an Enspire Arts Ambassador. Then, Assistant Principal Salina Machida of Tukes Valley Primary and Dean of Students Jamal McKenzie of Battle Ground High School discuss the wide-ranging responsibilities of assistant principals and deans. Listen on:

Something fun happening in your building or classroom? Is there a student, teacher or volunteer doing something remarkable? Let us know about it! Battle Ground Public Schools' communications department is here to share your story and the stories happening all around you. Please reach out and let us know if you think there's a story worth sharing.

Email: communication@battlegroundps.org
Phone: 360-885-5470

Battle Ground Public Schools is currently hiring. Visit the jobs webpage for details.

Bus drivers
BGPS' transportation provider, First Student, is in need of part-time bus drivers. Get more details on First Student driving careers, including sign-on bonuses.

Right At School
The district's before and after-school care provider, Right At School, is looking for program managers and educators. Learn more.

The Columbian

The Reflector

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