Committee favors four years, no tax hike on levy

The Central Kitsap School District’s Levy Steering Committee recommended a four-year measure with no tax increase during to the school board at a meeting Wednesday, Nov. 28.

Some members of the committee were concerned about a possible enrollment increase and how much voters would support, but the group ultimately found consensus.

The four-year option was chosen because levy campaigns “take a lot of energy away from the teaching effort,” said Gary Powell, assistant superintendent for business and operations for the Central Kitsap School District. The district’s last levy, in 1999, was a three-year measure.

Besides, Powell added, the school has sufficient reserve funds and federal heavy impact money to compensate for a growth spurt.

School board members will make a final decision on details of the levy, which comprises 10.2 percent of the Central Kitsap School District’s budget, on Dec. 12.

When it came to the levy rate, it was a no-brainer. The committee urged the school board to keep the $2.83 per thousand dollar assessed property value rate that has passed in the last two levy elections.

“I think it’s common sense, we have to stay the course,” Powell said.

His sentiments echoed those of numerous people who spoke at a meeting soliciting public input on the 2002 school replacement levy. Many people expressed concerns about the faltering economy.

The Levy Steering Committee also recommended conducting the election on March 12. That decision was influenced by the Kitsap County Commissioners’ decision to put the home-rule charter measure on the Feb. 5 ballot, the desire for more time to get information to voters, and the fact that neighboring school districts favor March.

“I think especially now that we know the (charter measure) will run in February we want to choose March,” said board member Carl Johnson.

The levy steering committee recommended polling-place balloting — as opposed to an all-mail election — despite the fact it will cost slightly more.

“Most of us thought the polling place gave us the most flexibility,” Powell said, because people still can choose to mail absentee ballots.

Each levy dollar qualifies the CKSD for $1.10 in additional state equalization funds and federal heavy impact aid. A total of $21 million is tied up in the measure.

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