Local voters approved the capital levy with 52.13% yes votes. Collection will begin in 2025.
The capital levy will pay for some repairs and updates at all schools.
Key issues
The levy will allow the district to:
- Make ongoing security improvements
- Repair roofs nearing the end of their warranty
- Fix or replace aging heating/cooling systems
- Create or update spaces for construction trades, culinary and health sciences classes
- Update aging technology and technology infrastructure
Projects list
Project list is dependent on labor and material costs and availability.
District-wide projects
- Security upgrades: entries
- Lighting upgrades
- Network infrastructure
- Enhance security system
- Replace classroom technology
Captain Strong Primary
- Recoat gym roof
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Daybreak Primary
- Recoat roof
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Glenwood Heights Primary
- Recoat roof
- Refurbish heating/cooling system
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
The heating/cooling unit at Maple Grove Primary would be replaced if the capital levy were approved.
Maple Grove Primary
- Install new heating/cooling roof units
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Pleasant Valley Primary
- Refurbish heating/cooling system
- Install new cabinet countertops
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Tukes Valley Primary
- Recoat roofs
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Yacolt Primary
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Amboy Middle School
- Recoat roofs
- Remodel 300 building for band and science, technology, engineering and math
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Chief Umtuch Middle School
- Recoat roof
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Daybreak Middle School
- Recoat roof
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Laurin Middle School
- Paint interior
- Add new covered playshed
- Replace beams in B building
- Refurbish heating/cooling system
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Pleasant Valley Middle School
- Refurbish heating/cooling system
- Install new cabinet countertops
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Tukes Valley Middle School
- Recoat roofs
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
A student measures lumber for the construction geometry class at Battle Ground High School
Battle Ground High School
- Create new construction trades building
- Upgrade culinary space
- Upgrade health sciences space
- Build new field house
- Install new heating/cooling tower
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Prairie High School
- Upgrade culinary space
- Upgrade health sciences space
- Replace metal roof on 400 building
- Build new field house
- Cover bleachers at track
- Revise bus lane route
- Recoat low slope roofs
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Summit View High School
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Battle Ground Virtual Academy
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
CAM Academy
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
River HomeLink
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Lewisville campus
- Replace classroom technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Operations building
- Replace office technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
CASEE (A, B & C buildings)
- Replace classroom and office technology
- Replace phones
- Upgrade software, online subscriptions
- Improve wireless network
Estimated capital levy rate
The capital levy rate is estimated to be $0.44 per $1,000
of assessed property value each year.
The capital levy will take the place of a bond that expired at the end of 2023.
The expiring bond rate also was $0.44 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
A $500,000 property that has a 5% annual increase in assessed value
is estimated to pay the following amounts:
Year |
Assessed value |
Est. annual payment for capital levy |
|---|---|---|
2025 |
$500,000 |
$220 |
2026 |
$525,000 |
$231 |
2027 |
$551,000 |
$243 |
2023 Clark County school property tax rates
| School district | EP&O levy | Technology levy | Bond | Capital levy | Total local bond & levy* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camas School District | $1.90 | $0.41 | $1.26 | N/A | $3.57 |
| Washougal School District | $1.95 | $0.20 | $1.49 | N/A | $3.64 |
| La Center School District | $1.31 | N/A | $1.74 | N/A | $3.05 |
| Evergreen Public Schools | $1.60 | $0.38 | $1.59 | N/A | $3.57 |
| Woodland Public Schools | $2.10 | N/A | $1.21 | N/A | $3.31 |
| Vancouver Public Schools | $1.79 | $0.29 | $1.14 | N/A | $3.22 |
| Hockinson School District | $1.65 | N/A | $1.42 | N/A | $3.07 |
| Green Mountain K-8 School District*** | $1.79 | N/A | N/A | $1.05 | $2.84 |
| Ridgefield Public Schools | $1.43 | N/A | $1.23 | N/A | $2.66 |
| Battle Ground Public Schools | $1.70 | N/A | $0.44** | N/A | $2.14 |
**BGPS current bond expires at the end of December 2023.
***Green Mountain serves K-8 students only.
Updates
Cooking up something special: Culinary arts classes look to the future
Cooking up something special: Culinary arts classes look to the future Feb. 1, 2024 Inside of Gene Fritz’s culinary arts class at Battle Ground High School, students are busily chopping, mixing, measuring and baking up delicious dishes. A similar scene unfolds at Prairie High School as teacher
BGHS construction program looks to build on success
Battle Ground High School construction program looks to build on success Jan. 26, 2024 On a rare sunny Tuesday in December, students in Don Willson’s construction and geometry class at Battle Ground High School file outside to an open spot near the greenhouses along Main Street. They
Community presentations to share capital levy facts
Community presentations to share capital levy facts Despite ongoing maintenance, Battle Ground Public Schools’ buildings are aging. Many roofs and heating/cooling systems are nearing the end of their warranty. Students taking classes in the construction trades, culinary arts and health sciences do not have sufficient space or
FAQ
What is a capital levy?
Capital levies are property taxes that fund things like enhanced building security, building repairs/updates and technology. They are different from bonds and from educational programs and operations levies.
A bond provides funding to allow a school district to purchase property, construct new schools or modernize existing schools.
Educational programs and operations levies pay for the staff, programs and services that the state does not provide as a part of basic K-12 education.
Why was a capital levy on the Feb. 13 ballot?
Despite ongoing maintenance, several schools have facility needs that impact the teaching and learning environment for students and staff (see “Key needs”). The district spends millions each year in maintenance by using EP&O funds. However, these funds are not sufficient to address the scope of needs, nor are they a long-term solution.
Does the state provide funds for repairs and updates?
The state provides funds for some materials, supplies and operating costs related to facility maintenance, but state funding alone is not enough to cover the rising costs of repairs and updates.
Can the district use impact fees to pay for these repairs and updates?
Impact fees help offset the cost of increased services associated with residential and commercial development. However, they cannot be used to correct existing deficiencies in facilities.
How much will the capital levy cost me?
The owner of a property assessed at $500,000 is estimated to pay $18.33 per month, or $220 the first year of the levy. Collection will begin in 2025.
The total amount each person will pay is dependent on the assessed value of their property. The actual rate per $1,000 will depend on factors including area growth.
How much will the capital levy collect?
The levy will collect the following amounts: $8.5 million for 2025, $9.2 million for 2026 and $10 million for 2027. The district can’t collect more than those amounts, which were authorized by voters.
Is this an additional tax?
The capital levy takes the place of a bond that expired at the end of 2023.
How long will the levy last?
Three years. When the levy expires, the district will consider possible funding options beyond 2027.
What will be the overall local school tax rate, including the capital levy?
The following are estimated rates. The actual rate will depend on factors including area growth and any changes to the educational programs and operations levy beyond 2025.
2025-2027
Educational programs and operations levy: $1.67
Capital levy: $0.44
Total: $2.11*
*Does not include state taxes for schools.
See how Battle Ground taxes compare to other districts in Clark County.
Why did the district request a capital levy and not a bond?
A 2023 survey found that community members prioritize security measures and repairing aging buildings. The capital levy provides funding to make some repairs and updates, taking the place of a bond that expired at the end of 2023.
In addition, a 2023 study conducted by FLO Analytics projected that enrollment would increase by about 19% over the next decade; however, the most significant growth is not expected for a few more years. The district will consider other funding options beyond 2027.
Are property tax exemptions available?
Some seniors and disabled homeowners may be eligible for a property tax exemption based on income. To learn more, visit the Clark County website or call 564-397-2391.
11104 N.E. 149th Street,
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 200 
360-885-5300