Pictured from left: Jon Girod, owner of Quail Homes; Shelly Whitten, BGPS superintendent; and Derek Huegel, owner of Wolf Industries. Girod and Huegel are members of the district's career and technical education advisory board, which helped to identify construction as a high demand field in Southwest Washington. 

Capital levy funds are being used to build a new construction trades building at Battle Ground High School. The building will expand student learning about the fields of construction, woodworking, plumbing, electrical and heating/cooling. Students will have access to hands-on projects and will be able to complete simulations of real-world tasks.

Local business partners in the trades identified these areas as priorities. In addition, data from the Washington Employment Security Department shows that these industries have strong demand in Southwest Washington. 

Approved in 2024 and expiring in 2027, the capital levy also funds several repairs around the district. Capital levy funds must be used for capital projects and cannot be shifted to pay for teachers, curricula or the day-to-day operation of schools. If approved by local voters, an educational levy would support the ongoing operation of programs such as construction trades.

Battle Ground Public Schools is grateful to the many individuals and groups who invested time and resources in the vision for the construction trades building, and to local voters for their support, which made this opportunity possible for Battle Ground students.

The building is projected to open in spring 2027, barring any unforeseen complications. The district will hold an opening ceremony for the public to attend.

Expected to open in 2027, the construction trades building will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities. The building is located south of the gym at Battle Ground High School.