EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT Voters turn to weigh in on school facility measures

Transcription

1 EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT Voters turn to weigh in on school facility measures By Chris Henry Yesterday 5:34 p.m. The last time South Kitsap School District passed a bond was in For Central Kitsap it was Both districts have had bond failures since then. Bainbridge Island passed bonds in 2006 and 2009, but the amount the district is seeking in 2016 is nearly twice what was asked in either previous bond. As the Feb. 9 special election approaches, officials in all three districts say they've done their homework on facility needs and hope to make a compelling case to voters for new and upgraded facilities funded by bonds. Ballots for the all mail election will arrive this week. Voters in the North Kitsap School District are the only ones without a measure to decide on. Bremerton School District will ask its voters to approve a capital levy for technology and security upgrades, turf fields at the high school and a refurbished performing arts center, among other projects. The measure seeks to maintain a capital funding stream that ends in 2016 with the expiration of a capital levy approved in North Mason School District is running a school support (maintenance and operations) levy, as its current levy expires at the end of The district this fall opened a new high school paid for by a 2013 bond, and work has started to remodel the old high school for middle school students. Central Kitsap will run both a bond and school support levy. Should both pass, the total property tax rate will remain the same, according to district officials. The bond would replace an expiring capital levy Central Kitsap voters approved in Superintendent David McVicker said running concurrent measures was intentional. 1/6

2 "We believe it's a great time to put it together, because it allows us to talk about the tax rate as a package," McVicker said. "Our community's been supportive, and we expect them to continue to be supportive." Like other local districts, Central Kitsap has gotten systematic about replacing or maintaining aging facilities, mapping out a triage plan over the next two or three decades. Central Kitsap High School and Central Kitsap Middle School will be replaced if this bond passes. Olympic High School and Klahowya Secondary School will swap portables for permanent classrooms. Like other districts, Central Kitsap is looking to upgrade security at all schools to address, among other concerns, the possibility of violent intruders. "Of any topic we talk about, that's a topic people lean forward and want to know more," said Doug Newell, executive director of business and operations. "'How are we protecting our kids?' That's probably the biggest area we get questions about." Tiffany Wilhelm of South Kitsap School Supporters isn't discouraged by recent bond history in her district. The 2007 measure asked for $163.2 million for a second high school and replacement of South Colby Elementary, among other projects. "It had a lot of stuff on it," Wilhelm said. The 2016 measure, at $127 million, is less money and more focused. It will fund a second high school, deemed a high priority in community surveys, along with technology upgrades at South Kitsap High School. Both those items will allow the district to bring coursework into the 21st Century, also a community priority, Wilhelm said. The new school will absorb projected growth at the secondary level that is expected in four or five years, about the time construction would be complete. Wilhelm, like bond boosters in other districts, adds that interest rates remain low, making this a good time to go for a bond. Passing the bond on Bainbridge would mean replacement for Blakely Elementary and the 100 Building at the high school, among other building repairs, renovations 2/6

3 and system upgrades. Getting out the vote is a big push for Bainbridge Island Public School Supporters, said Ian Forbes, co chairman. Voter turnout for school bonds must be at least 40 percent of the most recent general election, a fairly low bar given the dismal turnout in November. Bonds require 60 percent of votes plus one to pass. Levies, both school support and capital, require 50 percent plus one. Forbes urges Bainbridge voters to mail in their ballots, "regardless of how you vote." That said, he is optimistic. "We certainly believe the support is here on Bainbridge Island," Forbes said. "It just has to show up in the ballot box." SCHOOL BALLOT MEASURES Bremerton School District Capital Levy District enrollment: 5,013* Collection amount: $8.6 million over three years ($2.96 million in 2017; $2.8 million in 2018; $2.85 million in 2019). Pass rate: 50 percent of votes plus one. What it will fund: Turf fields for Bremerton High School and community use; refurbishment of high school performing arts center; safety and security upgrades; technology upgrades; removal of nonusable East High facilities; repair or replace roofs in need. What it will cost**: In 2017, 94 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value $188 a year for the owner of a $200,000 home; in 2018 and 2019, 88 cents per $1,000 AV. The total local school tax rate would be $4.62 per $1,000 in 2017; $4.61 per $1,000 in 2018 and Recent history: The capital levy replaces a four year, $7.6 million capital levy that expires at the end of The expiring capital levy in 2015 cost taxpayers 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Existing bond debt: Yes. Approved in 2005 by 62.3 percent of voters. 3/6

4 Bainbridge Island School District Bond Enrollment: 3,913* Collection amount: $81.2 million over 20 years Pass rate: 60 percent plus one vote What it will fund: Replace Blakely Elementary (estimated cost $39 million) and the 100 Building at Bainbridge High School, including a 600 seat performing arts center (estimated cost $30 million). Plus major system upgrades and renovations throughout the district ($12.2 million). What it will cost**: 36 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value ($175 a year for a home valued at $486,000). Current tax rate: The 2016 bond rate would be in addition to current taxes for maintenance and operations, a technology capital levy and existing bond debt. The total BISD local tax rate in 2015 is $3.30 per $1,000 of assessed value. Bond history: Voters in 2006 approved a $45 million bond and in 2009 approved a $42 million bond. Central Kitsap School District Bond and School Support Levy Enrollment: 11,108* Bond collection amount: $220 million over 20 years Pass rate: 60 percent plus one vote What it will fund: Replace Central Kitsap High and Central Kitsap Middle schools; build permanent classrooms at Olympic High School; build classrooms and a gym at Klahowya Secondary School; security upgrades, modernization, system upgrades and critical repairs districtwide. What it will cost**: $1.74 per $1,000 of assessed property value in School support levy collection amount: $68.7 million over three years ($22.9 million per year). Pass rate: 50 percent plus one vote What it will fund: Fills the gap between state funding for basic education and district s costs for items like salaries, libraries, smaller class sizes and transportation. Funds district programs like athletics and the arts, and allows the district to qualify for federal Heavy Impact Aid. What it will cost**: $3.47 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2017; $3.41 per $1,000 in 2018; $3.36 per $1,000 in Total bond and levy rate if both measures pass: $5.21 per $1,000 of assessed 4/6

5 value (same as total local tax collection rate in 2015). Bond and capital levy history: The district passed a five year $58 million capital levy in 2011 (expires at the end of 2016). The last time the district passed a bond was in 1992 with 71 percent of voters approving the measure, according to spokesman David Beil. The district passed a $17 million capital projects levy in A $60 million bond in 2003 failed to meet the required 60 plus one, with 50.3 percent of the vote. South Kitsap School District Bond Enrollment: 9,628* Bond collection amount: $127 million over 30 years Pass rate: 60 percent plus one vote What it will fund: A second 9 12 high school for 1,500 students, estimated cost $124.9 million (with state match of $6.4 million, total cost is an estimated $131 million). Also, $2 million in technology upgrades at South Kitsap High School. What it will cost**: 99 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. Current total rate: $3.68 per $1,000 of assessed value on the district s maintenance and operation levy. Bond history: The last time SKSD successfully passed a bond was in 1988; in 2007 voters turned down a $163.2 million bond. The bond had percent approval; 60 percent plus one vote was required. North Mason School District School Support Levy Enrollment: 2,149* Levy collection amount: $18.6 million total over four years ($4.65 million per year in ). Pass rate: 50 percent plus one vote. What it will fund: Supports the district s educational programs, student services, instructional support and operations. Levy funds made up about 18 percent of the district s budget for the school year. What it will cost**: $2.36 per $1,000 of assessed value in each of the four year. Current levy tax rate: $2.36 per $1,000 of assessed property value in * Source: Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction report for May 2015 ** Rates are estimates. Actual rates are impacted by total assessed property value 5/6

6 within the district. Total collection amount is fixed by board resolution. Find this article at: spotlight voters turn to weigh in on school facility measures c f e html Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. 6/6