Kitsap County voters will be getting their ballots in the mail Jan. 24 for the 18 day voting period for the Feb. 11 election.
On the ballot in South Kitsap is replacement of the Educational Programs and Operations levy for the school district.
The levy rate is $1.94 per $1,000 valuation. On a $400,000 home that’s $776 a year.
The levy would bring in $30,990,823 in 2026 and increase to $35,690,540 in 2029.
The ballot argument for passage says it will fund the local 16% requirement for the district’s budget. A yes vote means SKSD can continue to offer educational programs, maintain buildings and ensure safety for students. Funds pay for travel to away games, Advanced Placement, orchestra, band and choir, libraries, computers and tech support, special education, vocational classes, drama and kindergarten preparedness. It also pays for officers, heated portables, maintenance and upkeep, nurses, bus drivers, counselors, paraeducators and custodians. The tax pays for programs not fully funded by the state.
The tax replaces a previous one that expires and is not a new tax. And it does not fund raises.
Seniors and those living with disabilities are eligible for exemptions. The statement against claims the funds do pay for raises and those are not improving test scores. It asks voters to fail not only this but the follow-up levy so the state will come in. That would lead to resignations of administrators and eliminate 300 excess employees. It says levies are optional and districts use “fearmongering” to try to get people to vote for them. It says if the SKSD would use the state funding model things like band, security, sports and special education would be fully funded.