Bremerton School District No. 100-C Capital Projects Levy The Board of Directors of Bremerton School District No. 100- C adopted Resolution No. 2015/2016-08 concerning capital projects and technology. This proposition funds construction, modernization and remodeling of existing facilities, and technology improvements including equipment, infrastructure and the implementation of new technology systems for operations and instruction; and authorizes the following excess levies for such purposes on all taxable property within the District: Approximate Collection Levy Rate/$1,000 Levy Years Assessed Value Amount 2017 $0.94 $2,961,000 2018 $0.88 $2,795,000 2019 $0.88 $2,850,000 as provided in the Resolution. Should this proposition be approved? Yes No Passage of would allow the levy of $8,606,000 in property taxes within Bremerton School District No. 100-C for collection in the years 2017 through 2019, inclusive. In accordance with Resolution No. 2015/2016-08 approving this proposition, these taxes would be deposited in the District s Capital Projects Fund and used for construction, renovation, improvements and expansion of new and existing facilities, and for technology improvements, equipment and training to meet the current and future educational program needs of the District s students. If authorized by the voters and based on current assessed valuation information, the estimated levy rate per $1,000 of assessed value would be $0.94 for levy collected in 2017, and $0.88 for levy collected in 2018 and 2019. Great schools, great kids, and a supporting community make a great Bremerton! Bremerton schools continue to provide an outstanding and diverse learning environment for all students. To expand upon the solid foundation already in place, maintaining resources is critical. Your support for the 2016 Capital Levy means our schools will continue to offer facilities, technology and safety features that make our schools a place for learning. The Capital Levy will provide funding for student technology, security and safety systems, refurbishing the Performing Arts Center, turf fields at Bremerton High School and Knights Field and the removal of the East High School building along with other facility upgrades. Bremerton School District has some amazing accomplishments including: nationally recognized Early Childhood Program, Springboard Demonstration Site for English/Language Arts curriculum at Mountain View Middle School, West Hills S.T.E.M. Academy program serving K- 8 grade students, leader in K-5 Elementary Spanish Immersion Program, Montessori, Highly Capable, and AP courses providing a variety of learning opportunities for all kids. Bremerton Schools offer outstanding Career & Technical Education courses like engineering, auto technology, art and video productions. In addition, Bremerton students volunteer in various clubs to support and give back to their community. Bremerton Committee for Good Schools asks for your vote on February 9, 2016 to continue the positive change commitment within our schools and our community. Arguments prepared by the Chairperson Julie Wasserburger; Committee Member Ryan Christian; Committee Member Jonee Dubos, Committee For the Measure. To contact the committee, call (360) 373-6308 or email wasser3@comcast.net. 1 The Auditor s Office is not responsible for the content of arguments or their factual and grammatical accuracy.
Bainbridge Island School District No. 303 General Obligation Bonds - $81,200,000 The Board of Directors of Bainbridge Island School District No. 303 approved Resolution 04-15-16 concerning a proposition to finance school renovations and improvements. This proposition would authorize the District to renovate and upgrade school buildings including roofs, plumbing, heating and electrical systems, safety and security systems; purchase equipment; improve energy conservation; replace Blakely Elementary School and the Bainbridge High School 100 Building and complete other capital improvements to District facilities; to issue $81,200,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years; and to levy additional property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as described in Resolution 04-15-16. Should this proposition be: Approve Proposition 1 for our students. Continue the Plan: Voting Yes preserves our established record of academic excellence and safeguards our investment in school facilities. Voting Yes implements the next phase of BISD 2005 Facilities Master Plan and addresses critical needs identified in an independent expert analysis. Voting Yes provides urgent safety and security upgrades, and classroom, infrastructure and site improvements. Every school will benefit. Critical Replacements: Blakely Elementary and the BHS 100 Building are rated in poor condition using state criteria. These two buildings were identified for replacement over 10 years ago. They have failing mechanical and electrical systems. They do not meet current safety and seismic standards. They fail to meet current educational needs. Independent professional estimators confirm that replacement is more cost effective than renovation. Financially Responsible: BISD has a very strong bond rating and proven track record of responsible fiscal management. Projected costs are comparable to similar projects in other districts. Proposition 1 is estimated to add less than $15/month ($175/year) to the 2017 taxes on a median assessed-value home, and thereafter total school levy rates are projected to remain level. Excellent schools enhance home values. Construction costs and interest rates continue to rise. Delaying this critical work will only increase taxpayer costs. Sustainability and Longevity: BISD is committed to building robust, long-lasting and sustainable educational facilities, using 75-year design specifications. Proposition 1 will reduce operating costs, saving significant dollars for use in the classroom. Access our website (www.bipss.org) for detailed information about this proposition. Opponents would have you shortchange our kids. Renovation costs almost as much as replacement, with inferior results. Our construction costs are reasonable and comparable to projects in competitive districts. Interest rates are near 40 year lows, and delays will increase costs. Sustainable schools drive more dollars into classrooms. Stateof-the-art facilities enhance educational excellence. Let s build great schools that will serve thousands of students for the next 75 years. Don t be misled by opponents. Statement and rebuttal prepared by Margaret Powers and Ian Forbes, Co-Chairpersons, Bainbridge Island Public School Supporters. Janet Woolever serves as treasurer. Further questions may be addressed by email at the website: www.bipss.org or by calling (206) 909-8070. Passage of Proposition 1 will allow the Bainbridge Island School District to address critical facility needs identified in the 2005 Facilities Master Plan and confirmed through an independent analysis of building conditions in 2014. This proposition will pay for the replacement of Blakely Elementary School and Bainbridge High School 100 Building which were both identified in poor condition based on state criteria. It will also allow strategic asset preservation and essential renovation projects at Ordway, Commodore, Woodward, Sakai, BHS and support facilities. Projects will include roofing and plumbing; HVAC, electrical and technology infrastructure upgrades; school room renovations; site and security improvements; and energy conservation measures. These improvements will upgrade existing facilities to address safety, code, health, and educational standards. The bonds would be repaid out of annual property tax levies. Based on current projections of assessed valuations, the levy rate is estimated to be $0.36 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, costing the typical homeowner of a $486,000 median home $15 per month ($175/ year). Approval of this bond measure is necessary to maintain and enhance district facilities that will support K-12 educational programs, with a special focus at the high school on career, technology, special education, and visual and performing arts. This is the biggest financial proposal in Bainbridge history, and it is for unnecessary new construction that is unnecessarily expensive. Worse, it is part of a larger plan that would leave the School District over a quarter billion dollars in debt. If we don t plan more carefully now, we will spend ourselves into a box and not have money when we need it. This debt would replace rather than rebuild Blakely School, adding about 25 percent surplus capacity there even though State officials have forecast that elementary enrollment on the Island will fall by almost 200 students over the next five years. This debt would also add a fancy new theater at the high school, when we already have a good performing arts center down the street. That new theater building would cost tens of millions. For the new Blakely, the cost per classroom would be three times what we spent on Sakai, after adjusting for inflation! Public/private partnerships elsewhere are building for less than half the projected cost here, but the school board has not investigated these moneysaving possibilities. We are a smart, creative, and resourceful community that values education. Yes, we need good buildings, but we should update what we have already, and not at an extra cost of tens of millions of dollars. Your own home probably doesn t meet current code. There is a pattern here of replacing good buildings without improving education. Blakely, the school that fails to meet current educational needs, scores higher on achievement tests than Wilkes, which the district just replaced. By its own figures, plans for future new construction will lead to over a quarter billion dollars of debt. This debt burden will drive home values down, not up. Arguments prepared by Chairperson Rod Stevens, Committee Against the Measure. To contact the chairperson, call (206) 780-0553 or email rodstevens@seanet.com. 2 The Auditor s Office is not responsible for the content of arguments or their factual and grammatical accuracy.
Central Kitsap School District No. 401 Replacement School Support Levy for Maintenance and Operations The Board of Directors of Central Kitsap School District No. 401 approved Resolution No. 15-15-16, authorizing a replacement school support levy. This levy proposition funds day-to-day school operations, including classroom teachers, librarians, nurses, co-curricular activities, athletics, arts and music programs, classroom computer technology and support; and authorizes the following excess levies to replace an expiring levy on all taxable property within the District: Approximate Levy Rate/$1,000 Collection Years Assessed Value Levy Amount 2017 $3.47 $22,900,000 2018 $3.41 $22,900,000 2019 $3.36 $22,900,000 Should this proposition be approved? Yes No Passage of would allow the levy of $22,900,000 in property taxes within Central Kitsap School District No. 401 for collection in 2017, the levy of $22,900,000 for collection in 2018, and the levy of $22,900,000 for collection in 2019 to pay for part of the day-to-day expenses for education programs and maintenance and operations support of the District. In accordance with Resolution No. 15-15-16 approving this proposition, these taxes would be deposited into the District s General Fund to pay part of the day-to-day operations cost of the District. These day-to-day expenses of the District include classroom teachers, librarians, and nurses; co-curricular activities; athletics; arts and music programs; classroom computer technology; and other instructional program support of the District. The District anticipates, based on projected assessed valuation information, tax rates of $3.47 per $1,000 of assessed value (2017 collection); $3.41 per $1,000 of assessed value (2018 collection); and $3.36 per $1,000 of assessed value (2019 collection). Exemptions from taxes may be available to homeowners who are 61 or older, or disabled, and who meet certain income requirements. To determine if you qualify, call the Kitsap County Assessor at (360) 337-7160. The current Central Kitsap School District (CKSD) school support levy will expire in 2016. It s time to continue supporting our exceptional schools and students by voting Yes on the CKSD school support levy. The election is February 9, 2016. Washington State only provides 71% of the district budget. The Federal Government provides 9%, and local levy dollars provide the remaining 20%. Levy money directly supports quality education in areas the state doesn t fully fund, including: activities and athletics, arts, drama, and music, libraries, classroom computers, smaller class sizes, special education, teachers and staff and transportation. In addition, a Yes vote from local voters sends the message to our state and federal governments that the CK community supports K-12 education. A Yes from our voters is matched with additional state funding of approximately $4M/year, as well as Heavy Impact Aid from the federal government of an estimated $6M/year. This levy replaces the prior school support levy that is expiring and, combined with approval of the new capital projects bond, will keep tax rates the same. Central Kitsap School District demonstrates strong stewardship of state, federal, and community dollars in the execution of every K-12 program. Your Yes vote will help ensure continued excellence in Central Kitsap schools. Arguments prepared by Chairperson Roy Rainey; Secretary Mike Kuresman, Committee For the Measure. To contact the committee, call (360) 471-5366 or email ckcqe@gmail.com. 3 The Auditor s Office is not responsible for the content of arguments or their factual and grammatical accuracy.
Central Kitsap School District No. 401 Proposition No. 2 General Obligation Bonds - $220,000,000 The Board of Directors of Central Kitsap School District No. 401 approved Resolution No. 12-15-16 concerning this bond proposition for neighborhood school upgrades and improvements. This proposition authorizes the District to improve safety and security systems districtwide; replace Central Kitsap High and Middle Schools; build permanent classrooms at Olympic High and Klahowya Secondary Schools; modernize technical education classrooms; and make districtwide repairs to roofs, structures, electrical distribution and heating systems; by issuing $220,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years, and levying excess property taxes annually, to repay the bonds, as described in Resolution 12-15-16. Should Proposition No. 2 be: Passage of Proposition 2 will authorize the Central Kitsap School District to improve safety and security systems districtwide; replace the aging Central Kitsap High and Middle Schools; build permanent classrooms at Olympic High and Klahowya Secondary Schools to replace portable, temporary buildings; modernize technical education classrooms; and make districtwide repairs to roofs, structures, and electrical distribution and heating systems. The replaced schools would meet current seismic, fire, safety, handicapped access, plumbing, electrical and mechanical codes. In addition the proposition would provide for improved teaching and learning environments and enable savings in operational costs for ongoing maintenance, custodial services, grounds keeping, food service, and transportation. In accordance with Resolution 12-15-16, these capital projects will be financed by the issuance of no more than $220,000,000 in general obligation bonds which would be repaid from property tax levies. The exact amount of such annual levies will depend on interest rates and property values at the time the bonds are sold. However, the District anticipates, based on current projected assessed valuation information and current plans, and assuming the bonds are approved and issued in commencing in 2016, a tax rate of $1.74 per $1,000 of assessed value for the first 8 years and then a decrease to $1.61 per $1,000 of assessed value for the remaining life of the bonds. Exemptions from taxes may be available to homeowners who are 61 or older, or disabled, and who meet certain income requirements. To determine if you qualify, call the Kitsap County Assessor at (360) 337-7160. The current capital projects measure is set to expire in 2016. In order to continue offering quality education in Central Kitsap School District (CKSD), voters will be asked to Approve a capital projects bond on the February 9, 2016 ballot, along with a school support levy. If approved, the bond will allow CKSD to protect our community s investment in our schools. The bond will also replace and modernize our secondary schools, and fund critical repairs district-wide. Some of the bond improvements include: Creating new entryways and entry systems to protect our children and our investment in their education; Replacing Central Kitsap Middle School (57 years old) and Central Kitsap High School (74 years old) to create modern schools with better access; Building new classrooms at Klahowya Secondary School and Olympic High School to replace outdated portables; and making necessary repairs at several elementary schools that are more than 30 years old and in need of new roofing, heating, electrical, etc. In addition, if our bond is approved, it will be matched by additional state funding of approximately $40 million. This bond replaces the expiring capital projects levy, but even with the passage of the new bond and school support levy, school tax rates will remain the same. CKSD continues its strong stewardship of state, federal, and community dollars in the execution of every K-12 program. Your vote to Approve the bond will help ensure continued excellence in Central Kitsap schools. Arguments prepared by Chairperson Roy Rainey; Secretary Mike Kuresman, Committee For the Measure. To contact the committee, call (360) 471-5366 or email ckcqe@gmail.com. 4 The Auditor s Office is not responsible for the content of arguments or their factual and grammatical accuracy.
South Kitsap School District No. 402 General Obligation Bonds - $126,992,867 The Board of Directors approved Resolution No. 1200 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition authorizes the District to construct a new High School including facilities for science, technology, engineering and math and other comprehensive high school programming; technology and safety upgrades at South Kitsap High School; to issue $126,992,867 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum term of 30 years; and to levy excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as described in Resolution No. 1200. Should this proposition be: Passage of will authorize South Kitsap School District No. 402 to borrow $126,992,867 by issuing general obligation bonds. In accordance with Resolution No. 1200 approving this proposition, the bonds will provide funds to acquire, design, construct and equip a new high school building including, but not limited to, facilities for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and other comprehensive high school programming, and modernize, equip and renovate portions of South Kitsap High School to accommodate technology and safety upgrades for educational uses or programming. The bonds would be repaid out of annual excess property tax levies over a period of 30 years. The South Kitsap School District is asking voters to approve a school construction bond. What will the bond do? Passage will provide the funds for the construction of a second high school and a $2 million dollar investment in new technology capacities and safety upgrades for South Kitsap High School. The long term plan is to improve the District s facilities and address the continued enrollment growth as residential development rapidly increases in the South end. So why now? In 2014, the citizens of Washington State approved Initiative 1351, requiring fewer students per class in grades K-12. With more students and smaller class sizes, the school district will need many more classrooms. Construction costs are very low now, residential development is on the rise, and school enrollment is certain to increase. What will a second high school provide? The new high school will be built to accommodate 1,500 students with a large core area available for economical future expansion. The building will be designed to meet all the requirements of a comprehensive high school with the upgrades necessary to accommodate a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program. What will this cost the property owner? The 30 year bond will cost property owners an estimated $0.99 per thousand of current assessed value. This means that a property owner with an assessed value of $230,000 would pay approximately $18.97 per month to support the bond. Arguments prepared by the Chairperson Mary Shuford; Committee Member Jim Civilla; Committee Member Judy Arbogast, Committee For the Measure. To contact the committee, call (360) 876-2097 or email shufordwj@msn.com. 5 The Auditor s Office is not responsible for the content of arguments or their factual and grammatical accuracy.