School district purchasing four parcels

The Central Kitsap School board approved on Wednesday to purchase four parcels of land, three of which could be used as a possible site for a new transportation center.

The land, about 14 acres, is located near the intersection of SR 303 and SR 3 on Clear Creek Road which officials said would give the district access to both major highways in the area.

The district agreed to pay Patricia Reeser, who owns about 10 acres, $1.06 million for two parcels. The other nearly 4 acres owned by MDC Partners would be purchased for about $615,000. The land is currently zoned for industrial use.

The district hopes to get state matching funds in the next few years to build a new facility, said Gary Powell, the district’s assistant superintendent for business and operations.

The current transportation center, built in 1977, is located on 4 acres behind Central Kitsap Junior High and adds to the school’s “parking issues” said Richard Best, district facilities director. Moving the center would give the district more flexibility when designing a new junior high school on the site, Best said.

When the center was built, the district had about 45 buses. Today it has a fleet of approximately 100.

The remaining land parcel, 28 acres about a half-mile south of Seabeck Elementary, could be used for a new elementary school site. The district has authorized the purchase of the land from Erik Prestegaard for about $270,000.

The site runs along Seabeck Highway and is accessible from Larson Road. It also has Seabeck Creek running through it, which would be used as an educational feature.

CK Junior High and Seabeck part of are four aging schools the district hopes to replace as part of its capital projects long range plan. In a 2002 study, it was recommended Seabeck be replaced and moved from its current site on Seabeck Highway.

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