[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6501434,"mediaKeyId","5559927-1e3d5a18f6d7e1073d1500230b1d2fce","parentId",5559927,"title","Board approves financing resolution for energy project; chooses Washington State Treasurer loan","audioSeconds",317,"startMs",5926000,"endMs",6243000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559927-1e3d5a18f6d7e1073d1500230b1d2fce&start=5926&end=6243","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559927-1e3d5a18f6d7e1073d1500230b1d2fce/thumbnail_5926000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6501434/Washington/Board-approves-financing-resolution-for-energy-project-chooses-Washington-State-Treasurer-loan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501434-084ca08bac816d41f6d182b8a380bce3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770901170&Signature=hBVP5~iBjHObnXBcMGtraXn324yKpb-VzDfpmnMl2yOLxmqPMM11J3OeZaESjCoCsTY3qxPX2c5ZSWYsOLRG1BYjXPhIXDSnF9gLoGZaF9Ss-IEK-uYr8sDBeS3nexmsoYTtW~9d097JAJc8vSLAz22NSrg6uBrJHjdJig5STZohip8t11m9KXwGfl0b~gRnt79E6u6rxblOjqPAJYyydkvjz2dy7wVjb3WM~-ZK9zGVjgw57pRZONa3Qt2gYmmQP7jYCFiTgCu0c~sEOqC2PmVfEWOHSTzPVqtWWCa2ZdGxzmC9yBCPPOl8sWziE0P36dc8GA~9JYzBrau~Ej1kOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Battle Ground School District","date","2025-08-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Battle Ground School District Board of Directors on Aug. 11 approved Resolution I-25, authorizing financing for the district's energy-savings performance contract with Ameresco and authorizing execution of related financing documents. The motion passed 4-0.

Finance staff presented three financing options the district considered: a Capital One loan offered through the vendor (17-year term, 5.19% interest), an intra-fund loan using district impact fees (deemed administratively unusual), and a state-supported local loan through the Washington State Treasurer's office. Staff recommended the state loan because it uses the state's credit rating and historically provides lower interest rates for municipalities.

Michelle, the district finance staff member who presented the item, said the state loan program operates through periodic sales and the next sale is in October; documents were due to the state by Aug. 22 for inclusion. Staff noted recent comparable sale rates in the 3.0'3.5% range, but said the final interest rate will be set by market conditions at sale.

District staff said the energy savings performance contract with Ameresco is expected to be self-funding over time because energy-cost savings will cover loan payments. The Capital One option had a longer 17-year schedule at 5.19%; the state loan option under consideration would be a 12-year term. The board asked whether the projected energy savings would cover payments; finance staff confirmed the savings and project mechanics are intended to fund the financing payments.

The board voted to approve the resolution authorizing acquisition of the financed personal property and to execute the financing contract and related documents. The motion passed 4 to 0.

Clarifying details: staff identified the Capital One offer (5.19% over 17 years) and said the preferred Washington State Treasurer local loan typically has had rates in the low 3 percent range in recent sales; the state sale for this financing would occur in October if documents are submitted by Aug. 22. The board did not approve a final interest rate at the Aug. 11 meeting; staff will finalize terms through the state sale process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Battle Ground School District - Board of Directors","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved Resolution I-25, authorizing financing for the district's energy-savings performance contract with Ameresco and selecting a Washington State Treasurer local loan; vote passed 4-0.","taxTitle","Battle Ground School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",13034,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6501436,"Battle Ground board approves updated cell-phone policy for students",845,5053000,5898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559927-1e3d5a18f6d7e1073d1500230b1d2fce&start=5053&end=5898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559927-1e3d5a18f6d7e1073d1500230b1d2fce/thumbnail_5053000.jpg","/articles/6501436/Washington/Battle-Ground-board-approves-updated-cell-phone-policy-for-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501436-59338b4b361f000f469e37c05920a640/orig.mp4?Expires=1770901170&Signature=dvStwrEanzpRCkmKQZA1ZvV9FVDQRhSlLNVqp6XrMUrW97-vUFTwG2qBoNdtKGUBT61RO~gHq~U3RytmAncZg4h5bfytV-qGqE5kESFSUVk3iZlPzRJWxwhu~Nd22YslzDpoQV97OpL-vzwtkGjMs7idrYP3yz6W0kR7YNCqiJyNNF5jrFNJWCPwpF6TTGzjlAM4kQB4zsFhBMvEDf9Zhwo0vVFBztWbqqyMrkSqOHPS~aeZE7fJknESmio7xb6Mt0tfPZP-qX7jXsxaHFPJOYt~T8eUIUges2ZsbowvRQjRWgMBJVXnSi6vOCNWS3ql56gXmT8Z9lzRuxmAdH7ckg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Battle Ground School District Board of Directors approved revisions to Policy 3245 on Aug. 11, 2025, changing how student cell phones are handled at primary, middle and high schools.

Under the revised policy, elementary (primary) students will not use cell phones during the school day; phones must remain in backpacks. Middle-school students also may not use phones on campus except before school and after the final bell to allow brief parent communications. High-school students may carry phones and use them during passing periods and lunch, but not during class unless a teacher grants an educational-purpose exception and monitors use.

Kevin (operations staff) and other administrators told the board the revisions largely codify practices already in place at each level and noted the policy seeks to balance instructional needs, student safety and common parent concerns. The policy text specifically allows teacher exceptions only for instructional use and requires teachers who permit phones in class to monitor appropriate use.

Board discussion addressed enforcement limits and consistency. Director Debbie Johnson asked how schools would enforce middle-school restrictions when phones are carried in backpacks; staff said enforcement relies on classroom management and building-level responses when problematic use is detected. Student representative Toby Gwynn told the board he supports the policy, calling phones in class a \"big distraction.\" Several board members signaled ongoing interest in tightening rules as community views evolve.

The motion to approve the revision of Policy 3245 was moved and passed 4 to 0.

Clarifying details: the policy distinguishes rules by grade band (primary, middle, high); exceptions for individual students with IEP or 504 accommodations remain. District staff said the policy mirrors current building-level practice and that parents and staff were surveyed with mixed responses. The revision passed unanimously among the four seated board members.","The board approved revisions to Policy 3245 on students and telecommunication devices, aligning school-level expectations across primary, middle and high schools; the motion passed 4-0.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6501441,"Board delays decision on adopting Wayfinder high-school SEL curriculum until Sept. 22",3251,1793000,5044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559927-1e3d5a18f6d7e1073d1500230b1d2fce&start=1793&end=5044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559927-1e3d5a18f6d7e1073d1500230b1d2fce/thumbnail_1793000.jpg","/articles/6501441/Washington/Board-delays-decision-on-adopting-Wayfinder-high-school-SEL-curriculum-until-Sept-22","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501441-4ff01f590b6dcd5964d3c667ced88508/orig.mp4?Expires=1770901170&Signature=DMQtHNrqOO4XPUjTfJdR7QMGffif25pq5~mf9qhOatVzfqemt2JdOnE9IoAA6ak5TlsuxAnGUrgGH2mL4uUIhfRohwaBAAomQOZKv-6c8wxQahV3PhlmOnBcF11XWEjAdxWZ42tdZ0ZnpK9bMRlzbtffw1k2pelvfqSsi23WLH8AwAVpYTKe5bobJgxSo-YIVFPL9vIqJekuGxeaFcZmYBCUd3d51kjzFWSb6yF1ZXShluGyd50RKvyo9Ax6gmb8sX58qs5sis1kGLy8jNRkYytmPsmvTmuh3N0UUGY9N1KSuOQL1koj3r7PRjHdCVpe2EclEUqkeXiMKhcu47PYwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Battle Ground School District Board of Directors voted 4-0 on Aug. 11 to table the second-reading vote on adopting Wayfinder as the district's high-school social-emotional learning curriculum until the Sept. 22 board meeting.

Board President and Director, District 1 Mary Snittley opened the agenda item as the second reading of the proposed high-school SEL curriculum and invited the committee and pilot participants to present their findings and answer questions. The district asked the board to approve Wayfinder for use in secondary schools, with a phased rollout and building-level implementation planning.

School staff, counselors and teachers told the board the curriculum produced measurable engagement during the pilot. Oliver Root, a math teacher and leadership adviser at Prairie High School, said the work helps students manage the frustrations of learning: \"80% of my day isn't spent talking about actual solutions to math problems. It's getting students to the point where they feel comfortable and brave enough to confront the challenges that come with learning.\" Valerie Louise, a school counselor at Battle Ground High School, said a tier-2 small group found the materials \"easy to plan for me, not a lot of total prep, but more importantly, it was very engaging for the students.\" Carrie Koehler Oberg, a prevention intervention specialist, said students called the curriculum \"Spotify for SEL\" because they found it engaging and relevant.

Superintendent Shelley Whitten told the board the district favors adopting a guaranteed, district-approved curriculum so staff do not rely on ad hoc materials and so the district can set local guardrails and implementation expectations. District staff and committee members described Wayfinder as a comprehensive product with about 2,000 lessons available from the vendor; the district said it would create district- or building-level \"collections\" of lessons for use rather than expecting teachers to select from the entire library without guidance.

Several board members and community members raised concerns about specific lessons, alignment with CASEL or other frameworks, how certain activities (sometimes labeled \"meditation\" in the vendor materials) would be worded for local implementation, and whether the curriculum should be used districtwide (tier 1) or targeted to small-group interventions (tier 2/3). Director Terry Tate said he had come \"prepared to vote no\" and urged a focus on targeted interventions for at-risk students; other board members said they were uncomfortable voting without the full board present. Committee members and student panelists said students in the pilot expressed enthusiasm for Wayfinder.

After extended discussion and a motion from Director Terry Tate to table the adoption until the board was at full membership, the board agreed to delay formal adoption. The motion was restated to table the motion to approve the second reading and adoption \"until the Sept. 22 meeting.\" The motion passed 4 to 0.

Outcome and next steps: the district will keep Wayfinder on the agenda for Sept. 22 for further action. District staff said adoption would not immediately require daily classroom lessons and that rollout planning, training and building-level decisions would follow any formal adoption. Staff also said the district would work with the vendor on language and local collections so lesson wording better aligns with community expectations.

Public comment and pilot evidence: multiple staff and Project AWARE members described small-group and classroom examples where Wayfinder activities helped students with anxiety, study skills and interpersonal conflicts. Panelists described specific small-group outcomes and classroom activities used during the pilot but did not provide quantified program-wide outcome metrics at the meeting. Speakers asked for continued public conversation on lesson selection and implementation before full adoption.

Clarifying details: the board's motion to table was to \"table the motion to approve the second reading and adoption of the high school SEL curriculum as presented until the Sept. 22 meeting.\" The vote was 4 to 0. District staff and committee members said Wayfinder offers roughly 2,000 lessons and that the district would create narrower, district-approved \"collections\" of lessons for staff use. The committee reported student enthusiasm during the pilot but did not present districtwide outcome numbers at the Aug. 11 meeting.

The discussion will resume Sept. 22, when the full board is expected to consider adoption and next steps for training and implementation planning.","After more than two hours of public testimony and staff presentations, the Battle Ground School District Board of Directors voted 4-0 to table the second reading and adoption of the Wayfinder social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum for high schools until its Sept. 22 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves financing resolution for energy project; chooses Washington State Treasurer loan

Battle Ground board approves updated cell-phone policy for students

Board delays decision on adopting Wayfinder high-school SEL curriculum until Sept. 22