Battle Ground students launch youth-led group to elevate student voices in school Funding Conversations

Battle Ground Youth for Public Schools is a completely student-founded and youth-led organization created by students in the Battle Ground Public Schools community

BATTLE GROUND — A new student-led organization is launching in the Battle Ground community with the goal of bringing student voices into conversations about school funding, policy, and the future of local public education.

Battle Ground Youth for Public Schools (Youth4PS) is a completely student-founded and youth-led organization created by students in the Battle Ground Public Schools community. The group aims to share clear, fact-based information about issues affecting local schools while elevating student perspectives that are often absent from public discussions.

“For too long, students have been the quietest voices in conversations about school funding — even though the outcomes affect us the most,” said Rye Dilley, a student organizer and communications lead for the group. “We are forming this group so students can more easily advocate for themselves and help bring clearer understanding to the community.”

The organization is independent from other advocacy groups in the area. While Youth for Public Schools shares a commitment to strong public schools with groups such as Battle Ground Citizens for Better Schools, the new organization was created specifically as a platform for students to organize and speak on their own behalf.

“Our goal isn’t to just repeat what you already hear in every funding discussion,” Dilley said. “We want to contribute a student perspective to the conversation and help build better understanding between students, the community, and the district.”

Youth for Public Schools organizers say one of the biggest challenges facing the Battle Ground school community is a growing gap in communication and trust between voters, the district, and students. The group hopes to help bridge that gap by simplifying complex information about school funding and encouraging more open dialogue across the community.

“We want to work with everyone. That includes people who may be skeptical of school funding proposals,” Dilley said. “Understanding what voters expect from our schools and sharing the real impact that these decisions have on students is an important part of building a stronger community.”

The organization is currently operating as an informal student advocacy group and is not registered as a political action committee or accepting donations. Youth4PS organizers say they may explore formal registration later this year as the organization grows and begins participating in community events.

Although the group is starting with a small team of students, organizers hope to expand participation across the community’s schools. All Battle Ground Public Schools students in grades 6–12 are invited to get involved, with membership designed to be flexible depending on how much time students want to contribute.

Students interested in joining Youth4PS can sign up through the organization’s Linktree at Linktr.ee/Youth4PS.

Questions or inquiries can be directed to Rye Dilley at [email protected].