South Kitsap residents are voting on another school levy, and while they say it’s a continuation, it’s also an increase.
Our current levy is approximately 30 cents per $1,000 less. Meanwhile, the board is mum on what cuts will be made should the levy fail.
An educated guess would suggest keeping the levy at the current rate.
In an economy where many are cutting expenses and struggling to keep jobs, I don’t think they can afford more.
A recent article discussing the levy contained quotes from three levels of superintendant. We have a deputy super, an assistant super and a regular old super.
How many more administrators do we have? Each one of those positions surely have staff below them.
Can we start with cuts at the top should the levy fail?
In the past, the cuts made have always directly affected the students. I imagine the district could have saved oodles by putting the levy on the ballot this past November.
A seperate ballot costs thousands of precious dollars more by itself. That alone shows irresponsibility with your tax dollars.
Have the various Kitsap districts ever considered consolidating? That would increase the size of the district and probably allow for a larger share of state and federal money.
King County is a huge district and it seems to function. Of course, they also have budget woes, but that’s true everywhere, in every district.
I wonder if we can go back to basics? Stress the fundamental subjects, including math, reading, English and science.
I’d really like to know what is done with the money the district receives, other than the same lip service about technology, books and supplies.
It’s been a few years since we’ve bought supplies for our boys, but an elementary “back-to-school list” is equivalent to some folks’ grocery bills — including pencils, pens, paint, glue sticks, paper, notebook, dictionary, Kleenex, stickers, pencil box, ruler, scissors, peechees, backpack, crayons, protractor, calculator … and the list goes on.
When I was a kid, these items were provided. Unless you wanted a special pencil, the school provided. Somewhere along the line, the money has been diverted and funding the classroom supplies have been passed on to the parents.
Soon the fire district, too, will hold an election for more. (I’m curious what our fire dollars fund, by the way, as a family member needed to use South Kitsap Fire and Rescue ambulance service the past year, and what insurance did not cover, this person was sent a bill for services. I thought tax dollars funded that.)
Eventually, the library system will ask for more. And I’d would like to fund the library, but the Port of Bremerton took our money, like a thief in the night.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to fund the school levy, too. But the money given doesn’t go to the kids, so when the signs go up stating “Kids Matter,” prove it.
Share the wealth. Reduce the back to school supply list.
Spend the money wisely, with the students.
ANN WELSH
Port Orchard
