Battle Ground Public Schools

THE NEED: Enrollment growth, deteriorating schools, student safety and 21st century learning 1 Our enrollment is growing. Some primary and middle schools are overcrowded, with some classrooms exceeding the state recommendations for class size by as many as 10 students. Projections show that 3,500 residential units will be built in the district over the next 10 years, bringing approximately 2,000 additional students. 2 Some schools have served well beyond their lifespan. All four of the replacement schools on this bond qualify for state funding assistance based on the age and condition of the facilities. 3 Student safety is a top priority. Many of our schools have multiple entrances and are not equipped with adequate emergency technology. At some schools, student safety will benefit from updated main entrances with card reader access. New locks on classroom doors would allow teachers to lock doors from inside or outside for additional security. 4 One of Battle Ground Public Schools' strategic goals is to provide challenging and engaging environments that support 21st century learning for all students. Such facilities are integrated with technology and easily adaptable. They provide a variety of room sizes to accommodate teamwork, collaboration and space for real-world projects. THE SOLUTION: A strong commitment to a plan, with a phased approach to paying for facility improvements The Long-Range Facilities Plan is an 18-year, three- phased plan. Each phase creates a stable tax rate for residents and addresses facility condition, overcrowding, enrollment growth, and student safety. The plan will be regularly updated based on emerging data and community input. The result is that every school in the district will receive improvements over the next 20 years. The November 8 bond measure is Phase 1 of the plan and addresses the projects identified as the highest priorities for improvement. Read the Guide to the Long-Range Facilities Plan at www.battlegroundps.org. THE PROCESS: Significant community input led to current plan Twenty community volunteers and district staff comprised The Facilities Improvement Team (FIT). Members developed the Long-Range Facilities Plan using: • Data: Enrollment projections, growth estimates, condition of schools and district buildings to optimize state funding assistance. • Community input: More than 1,900 community members shared their thoughts last spring through Thoughtexchange surveys, which led to identification of the top facilities concerns. • Consultation: LSW Architects provided consultation on the district's Study and Survey, a process required by the state for reporting building needs prior to seeking state funding assistance for construction projects. "It's a great idea to have a facilities plan in place to move our district forward." THOUGHTEXCHANGE COMMENTER BATTLE GROUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOND FACTS WHY RUN A BOND?

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