The Battle Ground School District Board of Directors convened on July 28, 2025, to discuss several key topics, primarily focusing on human resources and staffing updates.

The meeting began with Michelle, the Human Resources representative, providing an overview of recent activities within the HR department. She reported that the team has been busy with a significant transition involving queue migration, which is expected to be fully completed next week. This transition has required extensive preparation and collaboration with the business office.

Michelle highlighted that there are currently nine certificated staff members remaining on the Reduction in Force (RIF) list, a notable decrease from over 60 at the beginning of the process. Of these nine, seven are elementary education teachers, and two hold math endorsements for higher education levels. The district remains optimistic that these positions will be filled by the start of the school year, primarily due to attrition from resignations and retirements.

Additionally, Michelle mentioned ongoing negotiations with the classified union, PSC, noting that four meetings have already taken place in July, with two more scheduled. She expressed confidence that the negotiations are nearing completion.

A board member sought clarification on the staffing numbers, specifically the seven elementary and two math teachers, to which Michelle explained that these individuals do not currently have assignments but are hopeful for placement as circumstances evolve.

The discussion also touched on funding challenges, particularly regarding specific federal dollars earmarked for multilingual education. Michelle explained that these funds come with strict requirements, limiting flexibility in how they can be allocated. This has led to considerations about potential changes to programs, such as summer school, which may need to revert to a fee-based model if funding is reduced.

The meeting concluded with a brief discussion about the nature of contract negotiations, with board members inquiring about their ability to observe these sessions. It was clarified that while theoretically possible, it is not recommended for board members to attend negotiation meetings due to their closed nature.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's ongoing efforts to manage staffing effectively while navigating funding complexities and preparing for the upcoming school year.