Levy funding fuels student transportation in Battle Ground Public Schools
Oct. 21, 2021
The Battle Ground school district covers 273 square miles; an area nearly 2.5 times larger than both Evergreen and Vancouver school districts combined. That large geographical size and low population density, especially in the north and eastern sections of the Battle Ground school district, makes bus transportation a complex and costly proposition.
In 2021-22, the district expects the true cost of providing student transportation will be approximately $5 million more than what the state provides. If a replacement levy on the Nov. 2 ballot fails to pass, the district would face a loss of more than $28 million in revenue, requiring deep cuts to staffing and student services. Tom Adams, the district’s director of student services said those cuts could include reducing the number of bus routes, potentially increasing the ride time for some students by 30 minutes to as much as an hour. Transportation to sporting events and other extracurricular activities could also be reduced or eliminated entirely.
The replacement levy on the Nov. 2 ballot continues funding for critical student supports, programs, and staffing, at a lower rate to taxpayers. To learn more, visit the district’s Levy Information page.