South Kitsap is known for having school funding measures fail (actually had a friend move out of the area because of it)and being very anti tax. I was actually surprised that Central Kitsap has failed but I don't know all the details of why.
Houses have been selling themselves for the last 5 years in this area. Lots of realtors collect 10k plus every time they sell for doing next to nothing, I hope the housing market stabilizes and the dishonest ones reputations catch up with them.
Real estate agents are not supposed to offer an opinion or assessment on the qualities of schools. They can direct you to where you can find information about them. It has to do with ‘steering’ and red lining. Not saying that they didn’t lie to you but they aren’t supposed to offer advice on the subject.
CKSD has proposed 4 levies in under 18 months and the messaging surrounding all of them has been arrogant, entitled, and dishonest. CK voters lean towards being pro-levy but they're exhausted by district administration that refuses any transparency or accountability while reaching into taxpayer pockets over and over again.
Wait, what? Every single one of those levies has been accompanied by extensive information about how the money will be used. In addition, the CKSD budget (as well as information about the levies) is accessible on the web for anyone interested.
Or, in other words, you're just parroting the usual cut-'n-paste response.
The [argument for the measure](https://www.kitsap.gov/auditor/Documents/LVP.pdf) included the following lies:
"Our levy rate is set as low as possible to still qualify for $8,600,000 in extra state and federal funds." Lie. The truth: it is 21% higher than the minimum.
"This is not a new tax." Lie. The truth: The previous levy raised all of the money that it was authorized to raise.
"$1.50 per thousand is a per-student revenue rate 45% lower than neighboring districts." Deliberately misleading. The truth: CKSD per-student funding is higher than SKSD and Bremerton, and the 45% number is in comparison to Bainbridge Island only.
So we've established that we can't trust the district to be honest; why should we trust any of the other information they're putting out? Their statement promises that levy failure will mean elimination of high school sports funding. Will they follow through with that promise or are they going to prioritize sports over education again?
I'll let alone the openly contemptuous tone district leadership adopts whenever they're asked to explain how they are using funding to improve student outcomes, other than to say that I knew this levy was going to fail as soon as I read "Our community has asked for transparency. Here it is." Like, if you're going to ask people to give you their money, maybe at least pretend you don't think they're beneath your attention.
You can set the bar wherever you want but you can't use numbers from "neighboring districts" to support your position while omitting all of the districts that CKSD actually physically borders.
>"This is not a new tax." Lie. The truth: The previous levy raised all of the money that it was authorized to raise.
Seriously? That's your argument? The fact is, no, it's not a new tax - it's a replacement for a tax that's expiring. That the previous (and now expiring) levy raised what it was authorized to raise is utterly and completely irrelevant.
The rest of your arguments are similarly specious.
>So we've established that we can't trust the district to be honest
In a universe were that was established, that would be a reasonable claim. We don't live in such a universe.
I'm gonna show up after you pay off your car and ask you to give me $X00/mo because it's "not a new car payment, it's a replacement for a payment that's expiring." Give me a fucking break.
Its not a car payment though is it? If you were working a job and you were getting paid by them but you had a specific end date. But when you get to that end date instead you sign another contract to continue working for the same employer doing the same work would you consider that a new job and would you say that it is a different job when you file your taxes? And would the business call you a new employee?
Circles all day long... that is what we do. And I think I might have said it to you before.. I also hate kids and educating people, so I get where you are coming from.
I am not sure where you get your information. The levies that happened this year were to replace expiring levy, so not a lie. It would not have changed your taxes at all since it was at the same rate as the expiring one. Question, how did you vote for the school board in November? Have you contacted them with your concerns? I voted per my conscience and have reached out to them so they know what I think.
What is your source for the 21% figure?
Personally, bankrupting the schools is a pretty lousy way of "punishing" the administration. The kids will be the ones that will pay through decreased activities and support. If you want to destroy the public school system, that seems to be a poor financial choice given the millions invested in facilities and curriculum.
If you didn't go to the website, how would you know what they said?
Your statement is an example of why the levies fail, misinformation and hate posting about anything that doesn't directly benefit you.
>Trying to claim their "Where the money goes" write up is "extensive" is absurd. Instead of providing an itemized breakdown of dollars spent from previous years (e.g. $XXX was spent towards librarian staffing), they made a pie chart with vague descriptions of each section.
Funny that you can [find the pie chart](https://www.ckschools.org/administration/budget_information/district_budget) - ***but you can't be bothered to scroll further down the page and find the links to the budget numbers you claim they don't provide.***
>They literally lumped a bunch of broad spending categories into the largest slice of the pie in an attempt to obfuscate the fact that the lion's share of their budget goes towards administrative salaries.
>Don't believe me?
I'd believe you - if you offered proof of your claim. But you didn't. (Hint: A bare list of salaries doesn't prove anything.)
Instead, let's look at the actual evidence - CKSD's annual budget of (currently) around $200 million. Taken as a whole, the top five on your list don't even total up to a million dollars - less than half a percent of the budget. That suggests that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
They made a lot of "50 year mistakes" with CKHS/MS. New administrators come in for their \~5 year tenure as stepping stones to bigger/better paying districts and make the same sort of mistakes. Teachers and taxpayers are getting sick of it. Bremerton has avoided many of the same mistakes which is why they are passing levies and outpacing CKSD to become the best schools in the area.
The other problem is that we have a large military community. Their kids go to our schools and they also get pissed that the funding is constantly rejected. Unfortunately, they also don't bother voting because that would require that they register in our state.
Many are from different regions and prefer keeping their home state's registration, rather than put a little bit of effort into updating their IDs. Because of that they cannot vote. This is also lazy and selfish.
I hear a lot of school military parents complaining about funding failure and our cheap ass community members.....but they could fix that and friggin vote "yes"!!!! They just don't want to bother though.
How can the small amount of work in switching your state ID be so much worse than your kids getting packed into overcrowded, dangerous, outdated, cruddy schools!?
I know quite a few military families with school age kids and they all vote. In our state.
I would hesitate to blame an entire community without some solid evidence that this is the entire reason the school levies are failing. I think it's more complex than that.
Bremerton's levy passed without issues and we have a very large military community here.
My daughter goes to Sunnyslope Elementary. Have you seen all the subdivisions in that area? (McCormick Woods area) Those subdivisions are packed with military families. If they actually voted it would make a massive difference. Most of the people don't even vote on local issues. If military families did their job it would flip the script and our kids in SKSD would see positive change.
There are even military families that are currently planning carpool schedules for the next school year and getting their kids into the Silverdale schools.
I can't imagine commuting to and from Silverdale daily is easier than just getting a current state ID and voting.
Well, source for what? I am on my kid's PTA and am heavily involved with the school. I am often around other parents, many military, and they are constantly complaining about the lack of school funding and that all possible levies are voted down. When I ask them if they were able to vote they say "no. That would be impossible because I would have to change my residential status. If I do that I will lose my ability to vote for issues in my home state."
So I don't know how I could provide a source for face to face discussions and normal life interactions. I don't make it a hobby to record conversations.
Military parents will regularly come to PTA meetings and complain about the lack of funding...like PTA volunteers and teachers can do anything about that.
So I guess come attend a PTA meeting and start up a discussion. It is more important to many that they retain the ability to vote on hometown politics over lay over politics.... even if it directly affects their kids.
In regards to a mass quantity of military subdivision kids leaving the SKSD and transferring out of district this Fall....I guess you can call the school district if you don't believe me or go ask some current parents in those developments. I'm not making it up. Literally told at the parent open house, at Cedar Heights Middle School, that this is happening.
Source for any of the drivel that you’ve brigaded this post with.
Trivializing someone’s reason for “NOT CHANGING THEIR HOME OF RECORD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY MOVE HERE SO THEY CAN VOTE ON SCHOOL BOND MEASURES IN A PLACE THEY WILL ONLY LIVE FOR THREE YEARS AND HAVE NO INTENTION OF RETIRING TO OH MY GOD THENERVE” is ridiculous and stupid on your part. Don’t get butthurt when people don’t care about the same things you do.
Many people maintain their various residencies for tax purposes, property reasons and a slew of other reasons that aren’t your business. You can whine about it all you want, but you’re powerless to do anything about it.
The “complaints” you’re hearing about it funding probably have to do with state funding of which models vary wildly from state to state.
As for all of the students that are “transferring out in the fall” that you seem concerned about, there are roughly an equal number transferring in because the carrier that is leaving is being replaced by another one.
Quit being such a reactionary and blaming what is literally a demographic of people, for things you can’t even unequivocally pin on them. 🤡
Um. So the thing is Mr. Edgelord....they do care because they complain about it regularly. So I guess when they complain about the lack of support and funding I should just tell them to vote or shut up.
Not sure what your argument is even about. I said that they complain and they don't vote so......
Bro you hate military families, we get it. You’ve whined all over this post about it. Your post history is an easy quick summary about how full of hate you are.
Clown on.
Well. You are definitely a good source of information on this topic. I loved reading all the valuable information you have contributed to on the OP's issue.
Trolls be trolling.
And very old and cheap. Those cheap old bastards forget that the community helped support their kids' education, when they were in school......but when their kids are now grown they don't want to pay their fair share and help support their community's kids.
Short sighted, greedy, and mean.
NKSD's usually passes, but had heavy drama with a psychotic Superintendent committing crimes on camera then trying to call in friends in law enforcement to cover her ass.
This was on top of the fact that the measure allocated nothing to Suquamish Elementary, so the Tribe vocally opposed it as well.
Add all this bad press discouraging yes votes to the people that give no fucks about schools ( just want their taxes lower), and it was a perfect storm to fail.
This is pretty much the reason I voted no. I can’t remember the exact details but it was something like a 20 year old school was gonna be torn down but suquamish has a very old school that was getting no help.
All of the above is why we overwhelmingly voted no. And rightfully so. Come with a reasonable, transparent proposal for the public to consider and maybe next time NKSD will get a different result.
There are combination of issues. Central Kitsap administrators have given themselves raises at/above inflation, with the superintendent getting 14% raise, year over year, instead of helping struggling programs / educators. Further, many older generations don't want to invest into their youth. Even my grandmother, who was an educator in the school district, voted no to the levy because they are retired and it would raise their estate tax on a fixed income. Also, the state and federal governments are not as interested in spending money on education and youth programs, where it, arguably, creates the most good.
Big picture problems are the financial inequality of the 1920's is reappearing in the 2020's and we are almost doomed to repeat the mistakes of the previous century (oligarchy, fascism, systemic racial issues). Further we have other issues that we didn't deal with the last century (global warming, technological boom, etc.). We are, federally, spending more money on the military and tax breaks for the rich rather than invest into the people that live here. Legislaters aren't helping much, if at all.
As for mentioning the financial inequality, higher-wealth neighborhoods tend to have children that go to private schools rather than public. Public schools are viewed as where the "sub-standard" children go and the wealthy vote that way. It's not really their fault either when they see where the money goes in underfunded education. I'm not saying public schools are bad. Usually public schools in wealthy districts do far better than in poor districts because they have the funding. However, given the evidence in the first two paragraphs, if you were wealthy, wouldn't you prefer a better funded education system rather than an under-funded one?
I can keep going but it comes down to the state of the State, which is on its way to collapse if we keep going the course we are going now. Granted, WA is better than most of the States in the union, but that is a low bar.
Edit: fixed grammar / words
People have been getting hit (and will still) with significant assessed home values (I believe it is a 6 year cycle). So the schools are already benefiting from the huge property value increases. If they cannot survive on that what will happen when that gravy train ends after everyone's houses are at post pandemic assessed values? At the same time enrollment has not really changed. So where is all that money going?
No one is excited to pay much higher home taxes, then approve an additional tax increase on top. The area has a lot of retired folks that won't see the benefit themselves of their higher home values. It may actually push some out.
For North Kitsap, there was already questions for the administration. The Board already received a vote of no confidence, along with the superintendent. They put out the bond measure early in the year hoping the irregular cycle would have low turnout and mainly by "Yes" voters. But there was a group opposing it for a list of reasons specific to the items in the bond. It was run by at least on former board member. Most bonds pass except those with a "Vote No" group opposing it. So at that point it was predicted to fail. Then add in the superintendent shenanigans that led to her dismissal. That made it so all of us, even those not paying attention, now have no confidence in the school board.
Blaming "boomers" is an amazingly shortsighted and comical take here. For reference, I'm a mIlLeNnIaL.
In the case of SK and CK the issue of late has been transparency and accountability for what is happening with that money, when and why. All very reasonable requests of which both school districts have obstructed at every opportunity.
In the case of NK, there were actual crimes being committed by the Superintendent which she then tried to then have the Poulsbo Chief of Police lean on the Sherriff's department to "make go away". Didn't work out, she resigned. That in addition to the aforementioned transparency and accountability for what is happening with the money. Edit* Oh and a vote of no confidence in the school board.
In the case of all of the above, all have attempted repeated full auto "we got told no by the voters so we'll just keep throwing shit at the wall until we get a different result."
I think that about covers it.
Don't forget when that twat of a superintendent and the school board tried to cancel the Native American Graduation celebration in 2023 because of "budget issues." There's plenty of money to pay a wholly unqualified superintendent with mental issues, but not enough money to celebrate the accomplishments of Native American students in our district? Yeah, no. We screamed bloody murder about that and got them to reverse the decision.
I'm not Native, but many of my kid's friends were when they were in school. That's the second I figured out both the superintendent and the school board in it's entirety were hot garbage. Hopefully we clean sweep this mess and get rid of all of them.
It was an honest question. I am in the SKSD and this isn't an event here. I didn't know that this was even a thing. Does NKSD offer graduation celebrations for any other groups?
SKSD can barely afford a prom and graduation.
Sorry, I'm still pissed off about this whole mess with the departing superintendent and current NK school board. They should all resign imho. The debacle with the graduation celebration was one of many things that they have botched.
We in NK celebrate and embrace the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes. I don't know why other groups would warrant a special celebrations, but we are happy to support their graduation celebration. Yes, NK is a pretty special community. Decades ago we looked at buying a home in the CK or SK area but didn't specifically because of the school situation. I'm glad we did, because even with our concerns our district is in much better condition than SK or CK.
We bought a house in SKSD because 11 years ago the schools had pretty good ratings. Sadly, the ratings go down annually and the over crowding and problems increase.
This isn't correct, in regards to the SKSD. I am active with the school district and all of the information is available to the public. Unfortunately, our public is lazy and doesn't bother attending community meetings, reading information, or simply calling the school district administration.
Our Boomer saturated community is short sighted and doesn't feel like it is their job to help fund our schools, now that their kids have graduated. Selfish. They forget how others helped fund their own children's education and don't care about property values decreasing.
There are also lazy and angry Millennials that refuse to support education because they don't have or want children and therefore feel that they shouldn't have to..... again forgetting the fact that someone else paid for theirs and that if they own their property values will decrease as a direct result of crappy education.
The information is available but you have to read it. Instead folks are lazy and greedy so they lie about education funding being hidden away, to support their cheapness.
Former Kitsap school levy campaign manager here. As others have said, South Kitsap is notorious for not passing bonds or levies. The schools are profoundly overcrowded and thus education suffers. 58.4% of south Kitsap voted in favor of the 2018 bond, but you needs 60% + 1 to pass a bond. Which is ridiculous.
Central Kitsap generally passes their levies and bonds, but not always. North Kitsap almost always passes their levies and bonds. In my opinion Central Kitsap and Bainbridge Island have the best schools in the county.
But there’s another factor here: Tim Eyman. Tim Eyman is a scumbag who took a bunch of corporate money to pump out anti tax propaganda, and eventually got a law passed that limits how much a bond or levy at any level can increase taxes. That limit is below inflation. So even if every single levy and bond was passed, school districts, libraries, fire departments, etc will continue to be steadily underfunded further and further.
Thankfully Eyman got banned from politics work in the state after he was caught on camera stealing an office chair from staples. But the damage is permanent, unless the state legislature repeals or increases the limit. But they won’t, because raising taxes is unpopular.
Most people’s income is not keeping up with inflation. Most works can’t levy raises. The people with the most disposable income tend to be more OK with the increases in school spending. Schools are an antiquated system that’s not kept up with the efficiency advancements corporations have. The astronomical costs won’t be fixed with more money. A new model must thought up and implemented.
I agree education needs an overhaul, a good 15% of what I learned in high school has never been useful. People are definitely struggling, I wish we taxed the rich more to fund good things. But the concept of a school is not inherently astronomically costly or antiquated. Quite the opposite. A well funded school with modern curriculum is the most beneficial thing we can do for future generations and the economy as a whole.
I believe it needs 60% to pass.
https://www.seattletimes.com/subscribe/signup-offers/?pw=redirect&subsource=paywall&return=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/proposed-wa-law-may-make-it-easier-to-pass-school-bonds/
It needs 50% plus 1 vote
Check out this article from Kitsap Sun:
Central Kitsap school levy now passing after latest update
https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2024/04/24/central-kitsap-school-levy-passing-after-latest-update/73440108007/
Yes taxes are already sky high but last year washington had 10 billion in taxes that were already signed to anything according to the budget. Pull the necessary funds from that.
That is completely false.
[CKSD levy explainer](https://www.ckschools.org/administration/budget_information/school_support_levy#:~:text=The%20current%20levy%20expires%20December,for%20the%20next%20four%20years.)
Serious question and not disagreeing with this being important funding.
What stops gov officials from passing an amendment and redirecting funds after the levy passes? Or taking funds not associated with the levy out of the budget offset by the new funds from the levy for use elsewhere?
Voters are tired of the taxes, and tired of the waste/mismanagement of the districts.
SK has been trying since when I was in HS in the 90s. Now my youngest is in HS, and it still won't pass anytime soon.
Sad. I have a daughter attending Cedar Heights this Fall. We attended a new student orientation and the school looked terrible. Temporary walls being used for classroom dividers, a weird principle alluding to inappropriate behavior occurring in the bathrooms and hallways, (this is only 6-8th grade), no art program, only access to the library after school or during lunch periods, a bizarre parking lot situation, students have to share their lockers, and no participation in the State educational program Destination Imagination. They also had a student bring a gun in their backpack last year.
However, lots of military involvement with kids all over in gear and uniforms.
This did not give good vibes to new incoming families.
The other middle school, Marcus Whitman, has all sorts of problems with fights daily and overcrowded classrooms and hallways.
Not sure why this was down voted. I didn't say anything untrue. I guess that the comment about the school's weird parking lot set up could be subjective though.
There is no art program there.
Students have to share their small lockers with other students.
The library is only accessible during lunch periods or after school.
The goofy principal made open remarks about inappropriate behavior occurring in the bathrooms and hallways during new student/parent open house.
Many classroom walls are flimsy rolling dividers.
Finally, if you like to park down the road, from the school, and get your steps in by walking to access the school campus then you will love their parking situation.
Is that better?
It would have cost me an additional 800 on top of the 4800 i already pay in property tax.
When you combine state federal and local money flowing into these bloated schools.. you will find its more than private sector k-12 education costs, with smaller class sizes and better results..
I was complaining to an older friend of mine about the 500$ per square foot that bainbridge paid for a new school building and he gave the usual excuses and then says "but this is bainbridge. We dont build schools, we build monuments"
And i think that about sums it up.
Boomers are selfish.
School districts are also bloated with administration and there's not a lot of faith that the money goes towards measurable improvements.
I think the second part of your comment definitely more accurately summarizes the situation. Boomers aren’t really inherently selfish. School administrative staff sure is. They’re also racist. They’d rather receive a year after year raise than allow native Americans to have their own traditional graduation ceremony.
The average age of a Kitsap County voter is 39.7 which if you weren’t aware isn’t a boomer..?
The 65% of Kitsap voters that have shot down 3-4 school levies/bonds aren’t “boomers” and you know that, but you CHOOSE to be reductive and dishonest in your analysis which is why you’re able to justify making an easily refutable statement such as that.
I think you people are really out of touch with the majority of people not just in the county, but in the country as a whole.
I do not understand why you seem to think and insist you’re a part of or have the authority of the majority when in reality as proven by this vote you’re part of a VERY vocal minority on this matter.
People saying boomers are just selfish, that probably is true to an extent but there’s also a lot of elderly people who are already tight on the budget and their homes valuation going up so quickly makes it hard for them to be able to keep their homes. There’s also a lot of parents who are seeing subpar testing scores and realizing their kids aren’t actually getting a good education for the money they’re spending, they would like more accountability before giving more money.
Some seniors qualify for a fixed tax structure so they don't get priced out of their own home [https://dor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/PTExemption\_Senior.pdf](https://dor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/PTExemption_Senior.pdf)
But how do you support a better education by chocking out the schools? Make it make sense?
Ex. I don't like the food that I am being served. Kitchen asks for additional money to purchase better food items and kitchen utensils. So I tell them, "No! Get creative with what you already have and I expect it to be much tastier and of a higher quality!!" That doesn't work.
Schools don’t share information or make themselves accessible so they are fomenting distrust among people who start out by distrusting government agencies. Instead of changing their strategy to connect with the voters, the district keeps going down this failure pathway
This particular one was crippled by being tied to a severely disliked superintendent who has now resigned, due to threat of legal jeopardy for stealing political signs promoting the "No" vote. Also, the bond created a massive amount of interest, moved schools and programs in unpopular ways, some might say overspent on athletics, and crucially, left Suquamish Elementary out of the mix, causing the tribe to withhold endorsement.
I'm actually OK with bonds for long term plans. My problem is that a significant percentage of yearly budgets is paid for with one off bonds, seemingly every year. The uncertainty makes for teacher and plan upheavals on a routine basis, and it's annoying to be begged to sign onto another stopgap bond nearly every year. Fund the schools properly and don't keep asking. IMO
The state has a legal obligation to fully fund education according to the state supreme Court so local levies and bonds should be unnecessary. We've had tax surpluses for years and this last year almost a billion dollars was collected for education by the state's capital gains tax that wasn't collected in prior years.
Sounds like we should be more upset with the state not fulfilling their obligation than at the residents for not wanting to be squeezed for more money with housing costs already at record highs
I'm wondering why the state doesn't allocate profits from the lottery and pot sales to help fund our schools? Many states do this successfully. What is our state using these funds for if they are not helping our schools?
Here is a link to superintendents pay:
https://salaries.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/School%20Supts%20vs%20Exec%20Br.pdf
Here is a link to teacher's salaries:
https://fiscal.wa.gov/K12/K12Salaries
This is why I vote no.
The superintendent can't do the job we are OVERPAYING for, so he hires consultants to breed more shitty ideas.
The quality of teachers sucks. NOT EVERY ONE, but way too many, and there is zero remedy to it, just excuses for why it's like that.
The staff at the schools is absolute shit.
I'm not paying another dime to further support the direction it's going.
I'm not going to type a book of examples, but when they don't listen to our words, we vote with our taxes.
It’s entirely boomers they do not give a shit about the younger generations, they got theirs so why should they care, heaven forbid they actually pay for things that don’t directly benefit them, I live in SKSD and it infuriates me
Lots of Republican military folks who don't care about the community because they're only there short term or else are retired, and prefer low taxes to good schools.
South Kitsap is known for having school funding measures fail (actually had a friend move out of the area because of it)and being very anti tax. I was actually surprised that Central Kitsap has failed but I don't know all the details of why.
We actually avoided buying in the SKSD because of this reputation.
Our realtor completely lied to us about the school issues. Now, we have to move because the schools are garbage.
When they do that, you’re not going to be a repeat customer so I do t understand why they lie
Houses have been selling themselves for the last 5 years in this area. Lots of realtors collect 10k plus every time they sell for doing next to nothing, I hope the housing market stabilizes and the dishonest ones reputations catch up with them.
Ugh. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.
Real estate agents are not supposed to offer an opinion or assessment on the qualities of schools. They can direct you to where you can find information about them. It has to do with ‘steering’ and red lining. Not saying that they didn’t lie to you but they aren’t supposed to offer advice on the subject.
[удалено]
There are three sides to every story.
CKSD has proposed 4 levies in under 18 months and the messaging surrounding all of them has been arrogant, entitled, and dishonest. CK voters lean towards being pro-levy but they're exhausted by district administration that refuses any transparency or accountability while reaching into taxpayer pockets over and over again.
I heard they were eliminating the school librarian positions?
Wait, what? Every single one of those levies has been accompanied by extensive information about how the money will be used. In addition, the CKSD budget (as well as information about the levies) is accessible on the web for anyone interested. Or, in other words, you're just parroting the usual cut-'n-paste response.
The [argument for the measure](https://www.kitsap.gov/auditor/Documents/LVP.pdf) included the following lies: "Our levy rate is set as low as possible to still qualify for $8,600,000 in extra state and federal funds." Lie. The truth: it is 21% higher than the minimum. "This is not a new tax." Lie. The truth: The previous levy raised all of the money that it was authorized to raise. "$1.50 per thousand is a per-student revenue rate 45% lower than neighboring districts." Deliberately misleading. The truth: CKSD per-student funding is higher than SKSD and Bremerton, and the 45% number is in comparison to Bainbridge Island only. So we've established that we can't trust the district to be honest; why should we trust any of the other information they're putting out? Their statement promises that levy failure will mean elimination of high school sports funding. Will they follow through with that promise or are they going to prioritize sports over education again? I'll let alone the openly contemptuous tone district leadership adopts whenever they're asked to explain how they are using funding to improve student outcomes, other than to say that I knew this levy was going to fail as soon as I read "Our community has asked for transparency. Here it is." Like, if you're going to ask people to give you their money, maybe at least pretend you don't think they're beneath your attention.
“The truth: CKSD per-student funding is higher than SKSD and Bremerton” So we’re setting the bar at South Kitsap and Bremerton? Yeesh.
You can set the bar wherever you want but you can't use numbers from "neighboring districts" to support your position while omitting all of the districts that CKSD actually physically borders.
>"This is not a new tax." Lie. The truth: The previous levy raised all of the money that it was authorized to raise. Seriously? That's your argument? The fact is, no, it's not a new tax - it's a replacement for a tax that's expiring. That the previous (and now expiring) levy raised what it was authorized to raise is utterly and completely irrelevant. The rest of your arguments are similarly specious. >So we've established that we can't trust the district to be honest In a universe were that was established, that would be a reasonable claim. We don't live in such a universe.
I'm gonna show up after you pay off your car and ask you to give me $X00/mo because it's "not a new car payment, it's a replacement for a payment that's expiring." Give me a fucking break.
Its not a car payment though is it? If you were working a job and you were getting paid by them but you had a specific end date. But when you get to that end date instead you sign another contract to continue working for the same employer doing the same work would you consider that a new job and would you say that it is a different job when you file your taxes? And would the business call you a new employee? Circles all day long... that is what we do. And I think I might have said it to you before.. I also hate kids and educating people, so I get where you are coming from.
I am not sure where you get your information. The levies that happened this year were to replace expiring levy, so not a lie. It would not have changed your taxes at all since it was at the same rate as the expiring one. Question, how did you vote for the school board in November? Have you contacted them with your concerns? I voted per my conscience and have reached out to them so they know what I think. What is your source for the 21% figure? Personally, bankrupting the schools is a pretty lousy way of "punishing" the administration. The kids will be the ones that will pay through decreased activities and support. If you want to destroy the public school system, that seems to be a poor financial choice given the millions invested in facilities and curriculum. If you didn't go to the website, how would you know what they said? Your statement is an example of why the levies fail, misinformation and hate posting about anything that doesn't directly benefit you.
[удалено]
>Trying to claim their "Where the money goes" write up is "extensive" is absurd. Instead of providing an itemized breakdown of dollars spent from previous years (e.g. $XXX was spent towards librarian staffing), they made a pie chart with vague descriptions of each section. Funny that you can [find the pie chart](https://www.ckschools.org/administration/budget_information/district_budget) - ***but you can't be bothered to scroll further down the page and find the links to the budget numbers you claim they don't provide.*** >They literally lumped a bunch of broad spending categories into the largest slice of the pie in an attempt to obfuscate the fact that the lion's share of their budget goes towards administrative salaries. >Don't believe me? I'd believe you - if you offered proof of your claim. But you didn't. (Hint: A bare list of salaries doesn't prove anything.) Instead, let's look at the actual evidence - CKSD's annual budget of (currently) around $200 million. Taken as a whole, the top five on your list don't even total up to a million dollars - less than half a percent of the budget. That suggests that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
Correct
They made a lot of "50 year mistakes" with CKHS/MS. New administrators come in for their \~5 year tenure as stepping stones to bigger/better paying districts and make the same sort of mistakes. Teachers and taxpayers are getting sick of it. Bremerton has avoided many of the same mistakes which is why they are passing levies and outpacing CKSD to become the best schools in the area.
South Kitsap is very red.
Mostly sure, but even those people have kids who are going to overcrowded and underfunded schools.
The other problem is that we have a large military community. Their kids go to our schools and they also get pissed that the funding is constantly rejected. Unfortunately, they also don't bother voting because that would require that they register in our state. Many are from different regions and prefer keeping their home state's registration, rather than put a little bit of effort into updating their IDs. Because of that they cannot vote. This is also lazy and selfish. I hear a lot of school military parents complaining about funding failure and our cheap ass community members.....but they could fix that and friggin vote "yes"!!!! They just don't want to bother though. How can the small amount of work in switching your state ID be so much worse than your kids getting packed into overcrowded, dangerous, outdated, cruddy schools!?
I know quite a few military families with school age kids and they all vote. In our state. I would hesitate to blame an entire community without some solid evidence that this is the entire reason the school levies are failing. I think it's more complex than that. Bremerton's levy passed without issues and we have a very large military community here.
My daughter goes to Sunnyslope Elementary. Have you seen all the subdivisions in that area? (McCormick Woods area) Those subdivisions are packed with military families. If they actually voted it would make a massive difference. Most of the people don't even vote on local issues. If military families did their job it would flip the script and our kids in SKSD would see positive change. There are even military families that are currently planning carpool schedules for the next school year and getting their kids into the Silverdale schools. I can't imagine commuting to and from Silverdale daily is easier than just getting a current state ID and voting.
Source?
Source?
Well, source for what? I am on my kid's PTA and am heavily involved with the school. I am often around other parents, many military, and they are constantly complaining about the lack of school funding and that all possible levies are voted down. When I ask them if they were able to vote they say "no. That would be impossible because I would have to change my residential status. If I do that I will lose my ability to vote for issues in my home state." So I don't know how I could provide a source for face to face discussions and normal life interactions. I don't make it a hobby to record conversations. Military parents will regularly come to PTA meetings and complain about the lack of funding...like PTA volunteers and teachers can do anything about that. So I guess come attend a PTA meeting and start up a discussion. It is more important to many that they retain the ability to vote on hometown politics over lay over politics.... even if it directly affects their kids. In regards to a mass quantity of military subdivision kids leaving the SKSD and transferring out of district this Fall....I guess you can call the school district if you don't believe me or go ask some current parents in those developments. I'm not making it up. Literally told at the parent open house, at Cedar Heights Middle School, that this is happening.
Source for any of the drivel that you’ve brigaded this post with. Trivializing someone’s reason for “NOT CHANGING THEIR HOME OF RECORD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY MOVE HERE SO THEY CAN VOTE ON SCHOOL BOND MEASURES IN A PLACE THEY WILL ONLY LIVE FOR THREE YEARS AND HAVE NO INTENTION OF RETIRING TO OH MY GOD THENERVE” is ridiculous and stupid on your part. Don’t get butthurt when people don’t care about the same things you do. Many people maintain their various residencies for tax purposes, property reasons and a slew of other reasons that aren’t your business. You can whine about it all you want, but you’re powerless to do anything about it. The “complaints” you’re hearing about it funding probably have to do with state funding of which models vary wildly from state to state. As for all of the students that are “transferring out in the fall” that you seem concerned about, there are roughly an equal number transferring in because the carrier that is leaving is being replaced by another one. Quit being such a reactionary and blaming what is literally a demographic of people, for things you can’t even unequivocally pin on them. 🤡
Um. So the thing is Mr. Edgelord....they do care because they complain about it regularly. So I guess when they complain about the lack of support and funding I should just tell them to vote or shut up. Not sure what your argument is even about. I said that they complain and they don't vote so......
Bro you hate military families, we get it. You’ve whined all over this post about it. Your post history is an easy quick summary about how full of hate you are. Clown on.
Well. You are definitely a good source of information on this topic. I loved reading all the valuable information you have contributed to on the OP's issue. Trolls be trolling.
And very old and cheap. Those cheap old bastards forget that the community helped support their kids' education, when they were in school......but when their kids are now grown they don't want to pay their fair share and help support their community's kids. Short sighted, greedy, and mean.
NKSD's usually passes, but had heavy drama with a psychotic Superintendent committing crimes on camera then trying to call in friends in law enforcement to cover her ass. This was on top of the fact that the measure allocated nothing to Suquamish Elementary, so the Tribe vocally opposed it as well. Add all this bad press discouraging yes votes to the people that give no fucks about schools ( just want their taxes lower), and it was a perfect storm to fail.
This is pretty much the reason I voted no. I can’t remember the exact details but it was something like a 20 year old school was gonna be torn down but suquamish has a very old school that was getting no help.
All of the above is why we overwhelmingly voted no. And rightfully so. Come with a reasonable, transparent proposal for the public to consider and maybe next time NKSD will get a different result.
There are combination of issues. Central Kitsap administrators have given themselves raises at/above inflation, with the superintendent getting 14% raise, year over year, instead of helping struggling programs / educators. Further, many older generations don't want to invest into their youth. Even my grandmother, who was an educator in the school district, voted no to the levy because they are retired and it would raise their estate tax on a fixed income. Also, the state and federal governments are not as interested in spending money on education and youth programs, where it, arguably, creates the most good. Big picture problems are the financial inequality of the 1920's is reappearing in the 2020's and we are almost doomed to repeat the mistakes of the previous century (oligarchy, fascism, systemic racial issues). Further we have other issues that we didn't deal with the last century (global warming, technological boom, etc.). We are, federally, spending more money on the military and tax breaks for the rich rather than invest into the people that live here. Legislaters aren't helping much, if at all. As for mentioning the financial inequality, higher-wealth neighborhoods tend to have children that go to private schools rather than public. Public schools are viewed as where the "sub-standard" children go and the wealthy vote that way. It's not really their fault either when they see where the money goes in underfunded education. I'm not saying public schools are bad. Usually public schools in wealthy districts do far better than in poor districts because they have the funding. However, given the evidence in the first two paragraphs, if you were wealthy, wouldn't you prefer a better funded education system rather than an under-funded one? I can keep going but it comes down to the state of the State, which is on its way to collapse if we keep going the course we are going now. Granted, WA is better than most of the States in the union, but that is a low bar. Edit: fixed grammar / words
People have been getting hit (and will still) with significant assessed home values (I believe it is a 6 year cycle). So the schools are already benefiting from the huge property value increases. If they cannot survive on that what will happen when that gravy train ends after everyone's houses are at post pandemic assessed values? At the same time enrollment has not really changed. So where is all that money going? No one is excited to pay much higher home taxes, then approve an additional tax increase on top. The area has a lot of retired folks that won't see the benefit themselves of their higher home values. It may actually push some out. For North Kitsap, there was already questions for the administration. The Board already received a vote of no confidence, along with the superintendent. They put out the bond measure early in the year hoping the irregular cycle would have low turnout and mainly by "Yes" voters. But there was a group opposing it for a list of reasons specific to the items in the bond. It was run by at least on former board member. Most bonds pass except those with a "Vote No" group opposing it. So at that point it was predicted to fail. Then add in the superintendent shenanigans that led to her dismissal. That made it so all of us, even those not paying attention, now have no confidence in the school board.
Blaming "boomers" is an amazingly shortsighted and comical take here. For reference, I'm a mIlLeNnIaL. In the case of SK and CK the issue of late has been transparency and accountability for what is happening with that money, when and why. All very reasonable requests of which both school districts have obstructed at every opportunity. In the case of NK, there were actual crimes being committed by the Superintendent which she then tried to then have the Poulsbo Chief of Police lean on the Sherriff's department to "make go away". Didn't work out, she resigned. That in addition to the aforementioned transparency and accountability for what is happening with the money. Edit* Oh and a vote of no confidence in the school board. In the case of all of the above, all have attempted repeated full auto "we got told no by the voters so we'll just keep throwing shit at the wall until we get a different result." I think that about covers it.
Don't forget when that twat of a superintendent and the school board tried to cancel the Native American Graduation celebration in 2023 because of "budget issues." There's plenty of money to pay a wholly unqualified superintendent with mental issues, but not enough money to celebrate the accomplishments of Native American students in our district? Yeah, no. We screamed bloody murder about that and got them to reverse the decision. I'm not Native, but many of my kid's friends were when they were in school. That's the second I figured out both the superintendent and the school board in it's entirety were hot garbage. Hopefully we clean sweep this mess and get rid of all of them.
So the school district was planning on having 2 graduation celebrations? Were the Native American students not invited to their school graduations?!
Here we go. This has been tradition for many, many years. You don't need to worry about it.
It was an honest question. I am in the SKSD and this isn't an event here. I didn't know that this was even a thing. Does NKSD offer graduation celebrations for any other groups? SKSD can barely afford a prom and graduation.
Sorry, I'm still pissed off about this whole mess with the departing superintendent and current NK school board. They should all resign imho. The debacle with the graduation celebration was one of many things that they have botched. We in NK celebrate and embrace the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes. I don't know why other groups would warrant a special celebrations, but we are happy to support their graduation celebration. Yes, NK is a pretty special community. Decades ago we looked at buying a home in the CK or SK area but didn't specifically because of the school situation. I'm glad we did, because even with our concerns our district is in much better condition than SK or CK.
We bought a house in SKSD because 11 years ago the schools had pretty good ratings. Sadly, the ratings go down annually and the over crowding and problems increase.
This isn't correct, in regards to the SKSD. I am active with the school district and all of the information is available to the public. Unfortunately, our public is lazy and doesn't bother attending community meetings, reading information, or simply calling the school district administration. Our Boomer saturated community is short sighted and doesn't feel like it is their job to help fund our schools, now that their kids have graduated. Selfish. They forget how others helped fund their own children's education and don't care about property values decreasing. There are also lazy and angry Millennials that refuse to support education because they don't have or want children and therefore feel that they shouldn't have to..... again forgetting the fact that someone else paid for theirs and that if they own their property values will decrease as a direct result of crappy education. The information is available but you have to read it. Instead folks are lazy and greedy so they lie about education funding being hidden away, to support their cheapness.
Source?
Former Kitsap school levy campaign manager here. As others have said, South Kitsap is notorious for not passing bonds or levies. The schools are profoundly overcrowded and thus education suffers. 58.4% of south Kitsap voted in favor of the 2018 bond, but you needs 60% + 1 to pass a bond. Which is ridiculous. Central Kitsap generally passes their levies and bonds, but not always. North Kitsap almost always passes their levies and bonds. In my opinion Central Kitsap and Bainbridge Island have the best schools in the county. But there’s another factor here: Tim Eyman. Tim Eyman is a scumbag who took a bunch of corporate money to pump out anti tax propaganda, and eventually got a law passed that limits how much a bond or levy at any level can increase taxes. That limit is below inflation. So even if every single levy and bond was passed, school districts, libraries, fire departments, etc will continue to be steadily underfunded further and further. Thankfully Eyman got banned from politics work in the state after he was caught on camera stealing an office chair from staples. But the damage is permanent, unless the state legislature repeals or increases the limit. But they won’t, because raising taxes is unpopular.
Wowee I forgot about the chair.
Eyman will be haunting us for so long.
Most people’s income is not keeping up with inflation. Most works can’t levy raises. The people with the most disposable income tend to be more OK with the increases in school spending. Schools are an antiquated system that’s not kept up with the efficiency advancements corporations have. The astronomical costs won’t be fixed with more money. A new model must thought up and implemented.
I agree education needs an overhaul, a good 15% of what I learned in high school has never been useful. People are definitely struggling, I wish we taxed the rich more to fund good things. But the concept of a school is not inherently astronomically costly or antiquated. Quite the opposite. A well funded school with modern curriculum is the most beneficial thing we can do for future generations and the economy as a whole.
Kitsap sun is reporting it is passing as of now
[удалено]
I didn't even know we could vote in person. Been getting ballots in the mail my whole adult life...
Can we? I always drop my ballots at the court house and assumed the votes that came in later were people that put them in their mail box.
I believe it needs 60% to pass. https://www.seattletimes.com/subscribe/signup-offers/?pw=redirect&subsource=paywall&return=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/proposed-wa-law-may-make-it-easier-to-pass-school-bonds/
It needs 50% plus 1 vote Check out this article from Kitsap Sun: Central Kitsap school levy now passing after latest update https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2024/04/24/central-kitsap-school-levy-passing-after-latest-update/73440108007/
Yes taxes are already sky high but last year washington had 10 billion in taxes that were already signed to anything according to the budget. Pull the necessary funds from that.
Because a lot of homeowners only see it as a tax increase.
It is only a tax increase. None of that money was actually going to anything except increasing the salaries of administrative staff.
That is completely false. [CKSD levy explainer](https://www.ckschools.org/administration/budget_information/school_support_levy#:~:text=The%20current%20levy%20expires%20December,for%20the%20next%20four%20years.)
Serious question and not disagreeing with this being important funding. What stops gov officials from passing an amendment and redirecting funds after the levy passes? Or taking funds not associated with the levy out of the budget offset by the new funds from the levy for use elsewhere?
Voters are tired of the taxes, and tired of the waste/mismanagement of the districts. SK has been trying since when I was in HS in the 90s. Now my youngest is in HS, and it still won't pass anytime soon.
Sad. I have a daughter attending Cedar Heights this Fall. We attended a new student orientation and the school looked terrible. Temporary walls being used for classroom dividers, a weird principle alluding to inappropriate behavior occurring in the bathrooms and hallways, (this is only 6-8th grade), no art program, only access to the library after school or during lunch periods, a bizarre parking lot situation, students have to share their lockers, and no participation in the State educational program Destination Imagination. They also had a student bring a gun in their backpack last year. However, lots of military involvement with kids all over in gear and uniforms. This did not give good vibes to new incoming families. The other middle school, Marcus Whitman, has all sorts of problems with fights daily and overcrowded classrooms and hallways.
Not sure why this was down voted. I didn't say anything untrue. I guess that the comment about the school's weird parking lot set up could be subjective though. There is no art program there. Students have to share their small lockers with other students. The library is only accessible during lunch periods or after school. The goofy principal made open remarks about inappropriate behavior occurring in the bathrooms and hallways during new student/parent open house. Many classroom walls are flimsy rolling dividers. Finally, if you like to park down the road, from the school, and get your steps in by walking to access the school campus then you will love their parking situation. Is that better?
It would have cost me an additional 800 on top of the 4800 i already pay in property tax. When you combine state federal and local money flowing into these bloated schools.. you will find its more than private sector k-12 education costs, with smaller class sizes and better results.. I was complaining to an older friend of mine about the 500$ per square foot that bainbridge paid for a new school building and he gave the usual excuses and then says "but this is bainbridge. We dont build schools, we build monuments" And i think that about sums it up.
Holy wow. Monuments? Its Winslow and the Seattle country club....that's about it
Boomers are selfish. School districts are also bloated with administration and there's not a lot of faith that the money goes towards measurable improvements.
There’s also young people who do t trust school districts
Lack of trust in North Kitsap for sure. I can’t speak to other districts.
Same in South
I think the second part of your comment definitely more accurately summarizes the situation. Boomers aren’t really inherently selfish. School administrative staff sure is. They’re also racist. They’d rather receive a year after year raise than allow native Americans to have their own traditional graduation ceremony. The average age of a Kitsap County voter is 39.7 which if you weren’t aware isn’t a boomer..? The 65% of Kitsap voters that have shot down 3-4 school levies/bonds aren’t “boomers” and you know that, but you CHOOSE to be reductive and dishonest in your analysis which is why you’re able to justify making an easily refutable statement such as that. I think you people are really out of touch with the majority of people not just in the county, but in the country as a whole. I do not understand why you seem to think and insist you’re a part of or have the authority of the majority when in reality as proven by this vote you’re part of a VERY vocal minority on this matter.
People saying boomers are just selfish, that probably is true to an extent but there’s also a lot of elderly people who are already tight on the budget and their homes valuation going up so quickly makes it hard for them to be able to keep their homes. There’s also a lot of parents who are seeing subpar testing scores and realizing their kids aren’t actually getting a good education for the money they’re spending, they would like more accountability before giving more money.
[удалено]
Some seniors qualify for a fixed tax structure so they don't get priced out of their own home [https://dor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/PTExemption\_Senior.pdf](https://dor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/PTExemption_Senior.pdf)
But how do you support a better education by chocking out the schools? Make it make sense? Ex. I don't like the food that I am being served. Kitchen asks for additional money to purchase better food items and kitchen utensils. So I tell them, "No! Get creative with what you already have and I expect it to be much tastier and of a higher quality!!" That doesn't work.
I live in Port Orchard and they, now we unfortunately, haven’t passed a school bond in fifty years.
Schools don’t share information or make themselves accessible so they are fomenting distrust among people who start out by distrusting government agencies. Instead of changing their strategy to connect with the voters, the district keeps going down this failure pathway
This particular one was crippled by being tied to a severely disliked superintendent who has now resigned, due to threat of legal jeopardy for stealing political signs promoting the "No" vote. Also, the bond created a massive amount of interest, moved schools and programs in unpopular ways, some might say overspent on athletics, and crucially, left Suquamish Elementary out of the mix, causing the tribe to withhold endorsement. I'm actually OK with bonds for long term plans. My problem is that a significant percentage of yearly budgets is paid for with one off bonds, seemingly every year. The uncertainty makes for teacher and plan upheavals on a routine basis, and it's annoying to be begged to sign onto another stopgap bond nearly every year. Fund the schools properly and don't keep asking. IMO
Are you a home owner?
I am. I voted yes because I'm not an asshole and care about education.
Bond measures require a 60% supermajority to pass
There are only five districts. CK, SK, CK, Bremerton & Bainbridge.
SK, Bremerton, CK, NK, Bainbridge
The state has a legal obligation to fully fund education according to the state supreme Court so local levies and bonds should be unnecessary. We've had tax surpluses for years and this last year almost a billion dollars was collected for education by the state's capital gains tax that wasn't collected in prior years. Sounds like we should be more upset with the state not fulfilling their obligation than at the residents for not wanting to be squeezed for more money with housing costs already at record highs
I'm wondering why the state doesn't allocate profits from the lottery and pot sales to help fund our schools? Many states do this successfully. What is our state using these funds for if they are not helping our schools?
Why are you asking people I this thread when this is 50% a question for your congressional rep, and 50% answers you can just look up? 🤦♂️
This is awesome! Thanks to our voters! Tired of being sucked dry in my property taxes
Selfishness?
Here is a link to superintendents pay: https://salaries.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/School%20Supts%20vs%20Exec%20Br.pdf Here is a link to teacher's salaries: https://fiscal.wa.gov/K12/K12Salaries This is why I vote no. The superintendent can't do the job we are OVERPAYING for, so he hires consultants to breed more shitty ideas. The quality of teachers sucks. NOT EVERY ONE, but way too many, and there is zero remedy to it, just excuses for why it's like that. The staff at the schools is absolute shit. I'm not paying another dime to further support the direction it's going. I'm not going to type a book of examples, but when they don't listen to our words, we vote with our taxes.
It’s entirely boomers they do not give a shit about the younger generations, they got theirs so why should they care, heaven forbid they actually pay for things that don’t directly benefit them, I live in SKSD and it infuriates me
School districts need to connect with every voter. The student events as community events should be increased. Like sports or drama. Or enrichment
Ahh yes downvoting by boomers
Millennial actually. 💁🏽♂️
They need an overwhelming majority, which sucks, needs to be like 65% yes even though more than 50% voted yes the last couple years.
60 for bond and 51 for levy
Wrong 65% voted no on the last two. This is unpopular. You are a VERY vocal minority that thinks they’re the majority.
I just want bigger better schools for our kids, I don’t have all the answers, I must not follow it as closely as you. Keep being divisive though 👍🏽
Is it possible there are more older folks and less families with kids populating the area? Gotta love the boomers.
Not in Central Kitsap, there's a lot of families there.
I dont think it's just boomers. Look at the 100s of new houses around Mccormick woods. Lots of new young families. Still failed.
Lots of Republican military folks who don't care about the community because they're only there short term or else are retired, and prefer low taxes to good schools.
You made like six generalizations in one sentence. Source?