Central Kitsap schools need your vote
Published 5:37 pm Thursday, January 28, 2010
On Feb. 9, registered voters living in the Central Kitsap School District will be asked to vote on a replacement school support levy.
A levy is a way for local communities to help districts pay for operating expenses that are not fully funded by the state. Levies were intended to provide community support for “enrichment programs.” However, because our Legislature does not fully fund public education, districts across the state use local levies for program enhancement and to bridge the gap between what the state provides and what it actually costs to educate students.
The current school support levy, which expires in 2010, provides 12 percent, $14.2 million, of the district’s annual operating budget. These levy dollars help fund a wide range of services that are not fully funded by the state.
The current levy also qualifies the district for additional state and federal funds, for a total of 20 percent of the district’s budget, $24.2 million, to support educational programs. Due to state and federal requirements, this additional funding would be eliminated if the school support levy is not in place. The additional funding includes $3.2 million in state assistance and $6.5 million in federal dollars. These funds are more essential than ever, because districts in our state are facing further funding cuts from the state during the current Legislative session. These cuts are in addition to the across-the-board reductions already made to K-12 education.
The proposed levy is not a new tax, but voters must renew the levy in order for current funding to continue. What does our community receive for this investment in its schools? Our students continue to achieve above the state and national averages on both state and national assessments. Our graduation rate is among the best in our state. We maintain one of the smallest elementary class sizes in the area, and we are known for a variety of award-winning extra-curricular programs.
In the first year, the proposed school support levy would increase from $2.16 to approximately $2.49 per thousand of assessed value. For a median priced home of $260,000, this represents a tax increase of $7.15 per month. We authorized this increase because these dollars are critical to advancing student achievement, and this relatively small increase is the only way to keep our district eligible for funds from the federal government.
Our success is made possible through the efforts of an extraordinary staff and a supportive community. The school support levy helps provide critical educational programs our community has come to expect. We are committed to the responsible use of these dollars and to remaining fair, thorough and transparent in all areas of operation.
CKSD School Board – Chris Stokke, Eric Greene, Bruce Richards, Christy Cathcart, Mark Gaines
