Battle Ground Citizens for Better Schools

Following an Executive Session this morning, the School Board approved Duane Rose as Interim Superintendent from June 30, 2013 through June 30, 2014. The School Board also approved Lynn Hicks as Interim Deputy Superintendent from June 30, 2013 through June 30, 2014. They also agreed that the permanent Superintendent should be decided through the IBN/IBA process to allow for public involvement over the next few months.

We have a few new faces on the ballot for School Board positions this year, as well. We look forward to getting to know everyone a little bit better over the next few months.

We are all thankful that this new team will have levy funding to work with as a result of all of our volunteer efforts. Thank you again, volunteers and voters for giving the district a solid platform on which to build.

Battle Ground Citizens for Better Schools will be giving an update as part of the citizens comments section at today’s School Board meeting.

Today’s meeting is at 4:30pm at Captain Strong instead of Lewisville because of the Art show.  The School Board is not conducting the regular work session at 3pm; instead they plan to tour the Art exhibits.

Remember that all School Board meetings are open to the public, including the work sessions.  Only Executive Sessions are closed and the School Board is only allowed to discuss legal, personnel issues, property acquisitions, or contract negotiations, in those meetings.  Public business must be discussed in public. See RCW 42.30

We encourage all levy supporters to attend School Board meetings regularly.   We, as levy supporters, have a special voice in the Battle Ground School District.  We support local levies because a fiscally sound School District is better equipped to make good decisions.  We look forward to participating in the process, as we strive for Better Schools together.

Agenda for Today’s meeting:

http://www.battlegroundps.org/files/May%2013%2C%202013%20Regular%20Board%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf

Note that the superintendent position is not specified on the agenda, although it may be discussed under “personnel”.  BG Citizens for Better Schools will be asking about the process for finding a new Superintendent, if it is not discussed as an agenda item in detail.  If you wish to discuss this as a Citizens committee, please attend today or send an email to the Chair of BG Citizens for Better Schools. 

While we understand that the Superintendent is hired by the School District, with School Board approval, we know that our input is valuable to the process.  With this is mind, we would like to gather information and input from BG Citizens for Better Schools, as a group.   We always encourage individuals to participate as well, for we understand that each individual has separate and distinct value in this process.

Great things ARE happening at Battle Ground Schools!

See you later today!

THANK YOU!

54.1% YES VOTERS

The highest number of yes voters in Battle Ground history.

Finish Line party at Mill Creek Pub tonight.  Be sure to be there for the results at 8pm.  Come early and have dinner!

Every single vote is important to this levy.  Please do not feel discouraged if you haven’t had a chance to drop off your ballot yet.  If you drop it off tonight, your vote could be the one that makes the difference!   Thank you!

Ballot Drop boxes are open until 8pm at the following locations:

• Battle Ground City Hall: 109 S.W. First St., Battle Ground.
• Battle Ground High School: 300 W. Main St., Battle Ground.
• Glenwood Heights Primary School: 9716 N.E. 134th St., Vancouver.
• Pleasant Valley School: 14320 N.E. 50th Ave., Vancouver.
• Yacolt Primary School: 406 W. Yacolt Road, Yacolt.
• County Elections Department 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver
• Permanent Ballot Drop Box W 14th & Esther Streets, Vancouver

The Grande Finale!

VOTE YES! Today’s the day!

Volunteers have packed the phone banks and knocked on hundreds of doors over the last few weeks. The impact is obvious with 17,520 ballots in, as of this morning. Last week, Captain Strong, Chief Umtuch, and Daybreak schools organized their own “Marches” and sign wavings after school. Glennwood/Lauren, Pleasant Valley and Maple Grove volunteers waved signs before and after school and Tukes Valley schools got out the vote with an extra walk-n-knock session. These events are in addition to the Battle Ground and Prairie High Schools student led March to the Middle event and the overwhelming efforts of volunteers who have made calls (Phone banks were so full, we almost ran out of phones to use!), waved signs, and knocked on doors on weekends and in the evenings over the past several weeks. Thank you to all of these wonderful volunteers for getting the word out; in support of our students, our schools and our community!

DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT! DON’T FORGET! This is so important to our community so don’t leave your ballot on the kitchen counter!

Today, April 23rd is ELECTION DAY and BALLOT DROP BOXES will be open until 8pm today:

• Battle Ground City Hall: 109 S.W. First St., Battle Ground.
• Battle Ground High School: 300 W. Main St., Battle Ground.
• Glenwood Heights Primary School: 9716 N.E. 134th St., Vancouver.
• Pleasant Valley School: 14320 N.E. 50th Ave., Vancouver.
• Yacolt Primary School: 406 W. Yacolt Road, Yacolt.
• County Elections Department 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver
• Permanent Ballot Drop Box W 14th & Esther Streets, Vancouver

Thank you VOLUNTEERS! What an amazing community!

VOTE YES!  Today’s the day!

Volunteers have packed the phone banks and knocked on hundreds of doors over the last few weeks.  The impact is obvious with 17,520 ballots in, as of this morning.  Last week, Captain Strong, Chief Umtuch, and Daybreak schools organized their own “Marches” and sign wavings after school.  Glennwood/Lauren, Pleasant Valley and Maple Grove volunteers waved signs before and after school and Tukes Valley schools got out the vote with an extra walk-n-knock session.  These events are in addition to the Battle Ground and Prairie High Schools student led March to the Middle event and the overwhelming efforts of volunteers who have made calls (Phone banks were so full, we almost ran out of phones to use!), waved signs, and knocked on doors on weekends and in the evenings over the past several weeks.  Thank you to all of these wonderful volunteers for getting the word out; in support of our students, our schools and our community!

DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT!  DON’T FORGET!  This is so important to our community so don’t leave your ballot on the kitchen counter!

Today, April 23rd is ELECTION DAY and BALLOT DROP BOXES will be open until 8pm today:

• Battle Ground City Hall: 109 S.W. First St., Battle Ground.
• Battle Ground High School: 300 W. Main St., Battle Ground.
• Glenwood Heights Primary School: 9716 N.E. 134th St., Vancouver.
• Pleasant Valley School: 14320 N.E. 50th Ave., Vancouver.
• Yacolt Primary School: 406 W. Yacolt Road, Yacolt.
• County Elections Department 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver
• Permanent Ballot Drop Box W 14th & Esther Streets, Vancouver

Thank you VOLUNTEERS!  What an amazing community!

Updates!

The March to the Middle event was fabulous! Great turn-out. Great television coverage and the best weather we could have asked for. Thank you again to organizers and volunteers! You make the difference!

As of this afternoon, over 24% of votes have been counted at the elections office!

Please VOTE YES and send in your ballot right away.

A few reminders:

We have a levy supporter meeting tonight at BGHS at 6:30pm to talk about the final push leading up to election day.

Phone banks are open several nights at the Riverside office and every weeknight at the BGEA office from 5-7pm, including tonight and tomorrow night. The most effective plan is to send a representative of your work group to tonight’s levy meeting, and head to a phone bank instead. Reaching out to voters is the most important thing!

Check out times here:            http://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094AA8A82FA57-bglevy

Walk n Knocks are scheduled for the next two Saturday mornings and all week next week in the afernoon/evening.

Check out times here:            http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A48A8A728A64-walk1

Battle Ground Cinemas is showing the movie Undivided at 9:30 Saturday morning and Mill Creek Pub and Keo Thai are offering deals to those who attend the showing.   Here’s to communities doing great things!

Sign waving times are posted on facebook. Look for updates here by Friday at noon.

Thanks again to everyone who’s working so hard for our kids!

March to the Middle is an event organized by high school students as a way for these students to show support for the Levy!

• BGHS students will meet in the BGHS parking lot at 3:00 pm.
• Prairie HS students will meet in the Prairie parking lot at 3:45 pm
• All students will hold signs and march along SR 503 to the Brush Prairie field at 149th Street.
• Everyone is expected to make it the end by about 4:30pm.

All primary and middle school students must have be accompanied by an adult to join the March to the Middle Event.  SR503 is a very busy road and all possible precautions must be taken to ensure student safety!

Please honk and wave and show support for these amazing students and this incredible effort!  Meet them at the “finish line” to congratulate them and thank them for this march!

Thank you volunteers and organizers!