Battle Ground schools board approves bond for November ballot

July 28, 2016 Rita Sanders

Battle Ground schools board approves bond for November ballot

July 28, 2016

Battle Ground Public Schools' Board of Directors voted 4-0 by roll call Monday night to put a school construction bond on the November 8 general election ballot.

The proposition authorizes the district to issue general obligation bonds up to $80 million to build replacement campuses, a new campus, and replacement buildings and make renovations and improvements. The board had held work sessions for consideration of the bond measure prior to the vote.

The board based the bond resolution on Phase I of the district's recently approved long-range facilities plan, which was developed over the last 18 months by community volunteers and district representatives on the Facilities Improvement Team. The team sought community input during the process through community engagement surveys.

Board members agreed that the recommendations provided by the Facilities Improvement Team through the long-range facilities plan would provide improved facilities while maintaining a predictable tax structure for taxpayers. "It's a well-thought-out plan that meets our needs," said Stephanie McClintock, director of District 5.

Specific projects on the bond include

The replacement of Glenwood Heights Primary and Laurin Middle campus
The replacement of Pleasant Valley Primary and Middle campus
The replacement of Prairie High School 500-900 buildings
The renovation of Amboy Middle’s gym and 300 building
Construction of a new K-4,5-8 campus in the southeast corner of the district to address overcrowding and enrollment growth
Safety, technology, educational, infrastructure, and athletic improvements throughout the district

Some of the projects would qualify to receive state funding assistance. The projected, local tax rate for the bond is 45 cents per $1,000 of current assessed value. This rate is subject to change based on assessed values.

Dynamic Facilities

https://battlegroundps.uberflip.com/i/705564-2016-guide-to-long-range-facilities-plan

Read the Battle Ground Public Schools Guide to the Long-Range Facilities Plan

The board also approved the appointment of volunteers to the Pro and Con Committees. The committees will prepare arguments advocating for voter approval (Pro) or voter rejection (Con) for the fall voters’ pamphlet. The district is required to provide an opportunity for volunteers to prepare pro and con arguments for the pamphlet in the general election ballot.

The election will be Nov. 8 with ballots available Oct. 21.

More information about the Battle Ground Public Schools long-range facilities plan is available on the district's website: battlegroundps.org. District administrators and board members are available to answer questions and share additional details about the proposed bond. To schedule an informative presentation for your community or organization or civic club, please call the district office at 360-885-5300.

Summer facilities projects nearing completion

Summer facilities projects nearing completion August 11, 2016 Crews have been working at Battle Gro...

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Battle Ground schools board approves bond for November ballot