Letter to the Editor

Vote down levy

To the editor:

South Kitsap School District’s budgeting track record is shameful. Should you approve another levy costing $133 million for “enrichment” — $125 million would go to employee pay, perks and benefits. Just $8 million would go to kids. Cost to run this February levy is $125,000.

Prior levy train wrecks include:

*Community pool $8.7 million over budget. High school science labs $500,000 over budget. SKHS culinary arts building remodel $250,000 over budget. All those over budget by same contractor. And why wasn’t he replaced?

*SKSD board borrowed $2.1 million using non-voter approved bond that’s a 20-year term with interest accruing at term to $908,000. That $2 million chillier will cost us $3 million because the board was worried about depleting fund balance excess.

*41 $300 Chromebooks stolen from Manchester Elementary. No video cameras, yet “Big Buzz” is about great security at SKSD.

*Student learning statistics staggeringly unimpressive. Testing “at or above” grade levels. English, 50%; Math, 40%; and Science 45%.

*Hefty state and local education funding” up to $35.96 billion, an 89% increase; school administrators, up 95%; teachers and students, up 5%; and principals, up 10%.

You’ll need to keep a grip on your pocketbooks as the state legislature will likely increase property taxes up to 3%. Think of your school district tax three times higher! Same with South Kitsap Fire & Rescue’s bond passage rates—just a simple majority of 50% plus one to pass.

Vote no on SKSD Proposition 1.

Dave Kimble

Manchester