Schools are expected to open on Monday
BATTLE GROUND — Battle Ground Public Schools and the Battle Ground Education Association (BGEA) reached a tentative agreement Saturday on a new contract for teachers and other certificated educational professionals in the district.
The bargaining teams worked with the support of the state mediator until 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning and then returned to bargaining a few hours later.
BGEA members will vote to ratify the agreement on Sunday. Schools are expected to open on Monday. Families will receive a separate communication with school start details, and information will also be posted on the district website.
“We are pleased to reach a tentative agreement that will allow the district to recruit and retain quality teachers,” said Superintendent Mark Ross. “We are looking forward to starting the school year and coming together to focus on our mission of educating students.
“While Battle Ground is not alone in its financial challenges, the district’s difficulties are certainly amplified by the inequities of new state funding,” Ross said. “Battle Ground will have to make some difficult budget decisions in the coming years to bring the district in closer alignment with the state prototypical school model.”
Information about the tentative agreement will be released after BGEA ratification and board approval. The school board will need to approve adjustments to the school calendar prior to the district notifying families about changes.
