Battle Ground Public Schools

Aug. 28 update on collective bargaining

Aug. 28, 2023

Potential delay to start of school year

We have some difficult news to share about the start of school. Battle Ground Public Schools has been notified by the Battle Ground Education Association of a potential work stoppage/strike. The BGEA will vote on a potential work stoppage/strike at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29. If the BGEA votes to go on strike, schools could be closed starting on Wednesday, Aug. 30. It’s important that families be prepared for this possibility. Please see the “What you need to know” section below.

–WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW–

On Tuesday, Aug. 29, we will let you know as soon as possible if schools will be open on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

If BGEA calls for a work stoppage/strike, please be prepared for the following:

• • Schools would be closed starting on the first day of the strike, including for kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten family conferences. 
  • Enrollment and registration would still be available online.
  • School offices would be open for registering new students and other business.
  • Staff should await further instructions on reporting.
  • Meals: Starting on the first day of the strike and continuing until school resumes, every BGPS student can receive free meals at any of the following locations. Lunch will be served onsite Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., except on Labor Day. Breakfast for the following day would be available to grab and go.
    • Daybreak Middle School – 1900 NW 20th Avenue, Battle Ground, WA 98604
    • Pleasant Valley Middle – 14320 NE 50th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686
    • Prairie High School – 11311 NE 119th Street, Vancouver, WA 98662
    • River HomeLink – 610A SW Eaton Blvd, Battle Ground, WA 98604
    • Yacolt Primary – 406 W Yacolt Road, Yacolt, WA 98675
  • Sports: Please watch for information about high school sports practices and games. Middle school sports begin on Sept. 6. We will let families know if it will be affected.
  • Facility rental agreements would be honored, and Community Education programs and activities would continue.
  • Right At School: RAS care would not be offered until schools reopen.

Preschools

• • • Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) preschools would continue to operate at Maple Grove and Yacolt primary schools.
    • Tigerland Preschool begins Sept. 6. We will let families know if it will be affected.
    • Battle Ground and Prairie preschools would be closed until the strike is over.
    • The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) at Captain Strong Primary begins Sept. 7. We will let families know if it will be affected.
  • Running Start: Classes begin Sept. 25. We will let students and families know if they will be affected.

After a strike

• • School would resume quickly after an agreement is reached. Students would still receive the required number of instructional days.
  • Depending on the duration of a strike, the last day of school could be affected. We would share the updated calendar as soon as possible. 

A strike would have a considerable impact on students, families, staff and our community, and we will do our best to keep you informed and provide support during this uncertain time. We are continuing to work toward reaching an agreement as soon as possible. In the meantime, please visit the collective bargaining webpage for the latest information.

About bargaining

We have been bargaining with BGEA since January in hopes of reaching an agreement before the start of the school year. Our board of directors and leadership team are committed to bargaining in good faith to provide staff with wages and working conditions that are comparable to surrounding districts and within the capacity of the district’s budget. 

Our Aug. 27 proposal includes a 16.75% increase in total compensation above current levels over the next three years. This would place BGPS second in Clark County for entry-level teacher pay. The new proposal also includes decreases in class size and employee caseloads. 

The bargaining teams are meeting today, Aug. 28. We encourage the BGEA to join us in requesting mediation assistance from the state so that both parties can reach an agreement as quickly as possible. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this process.