Residents want more of the same on school levy

Jittery about a faltering economy, Central Kitsap residents told school board members Tuesday that 2002 is not the time to raise the rate of the school replacement levy — currently $2.83 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

In fact, one participant in a Nov. 13 levy forum suggested the district might offer a lower rate to help shore up votes. Former school board candidate Kevin Cummings said the forum did not address the concerns of people who want to lower taxes.

“People might want to have that option,” he said. “That is a hole that needs to be addressed.”

Educational support staff voted overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the rate the same “because of the times,” reported Sue Watson, president of the Central Kitsap Educational Support Professionals. Teachers voted by a closer margin to keep the rate the same, said Cheryl Brown, president of the Central Kitsap Educational Association.

Local levy dollars are approximately 10.2 percent of the Central Kitsap School District Budget — presently $10 million — but significantly more money is tied up in the measure’s passage.

Each local levy dollar qualifies CKSD for $1.10 in additional state equalization funds and Federal Heavy Impact Aid. A total of $21 million is tied in the measure.

Marilyn Jones, president of the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), said parents were split over the three- and four-year options at a recent meeting, mirroring others who commented at the Tuesday, Nov. 13 forum. No one opted for the one- or two-year options.

Sari Perlow, one of 24 people who attended the meeting, urged the board to run the levy in March and to time it with the North Kitsap and Bremerton school districts levies.

“If we go in February we’ll be backed up against the holidays,” Perlow said.

Gary Powell, assistant superintendent for business and operations, agreed that it was best to collaborate with other districts.

“I think it’s an advantage. For one thing we can share the cost and the publicity is out there. There is an overlap and better news coverage,” Powell said.

The levy funds such programs as student activities, transportation, staff salaries and specialized courses.

“I want to bring to your attention that the Magnet program is funded almost exclusively by the levy — if it doesn’t pass, there really won’t be a Magnet program,” eighth-grader Brett Dahlberg told the board.

Magnet is a program designed for gifted students based at Central Kitsap Junior High School.

Two people offered written comments by mail, and 20 visited the CKSD Web site to contribute opinions about the levy.

“In general, the (Web site) comments mentioned specific programs people wanted the levy to continue to fund — athletics were mentioned as were counseling services and Montessori,” said Jeanie Schulze, district spokeswoman.

“The thing people need to understand is while they spoke to specific programs, those decisions will be made during the budgeting process,” she added.

Big decisions

The following are the levy topics school board members will decide by Dec. 12:

• Whether the district should run a levy at all.

• The levy duration, which could be anywhere between one and four years.

• How much the levy should be per $1,000 assessed property value.

• Whether the election should run Feb. 5 or March 12, 2002.

• Whether the election should be conducted at polls or via the mail.

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