Bremerton, North Kitsap, Bainbridge Island, Central Kitsap school bonds, levies on ballot

School funding. That is what's on the line for Tuesday's special election as the Kitsap County Auditor's office releases initial vote counts for two bond measures and four levy measures on the ballot. Bonds require 60% voter approval, while levies require simple majority (50% plus one).

Steve Gardner, public information officer for Kitsap County Elections, said results will be announced live on the auditor's website at 8 p.m. and posted shortly after. The certification date for results is Feb. 23.

Here's a rundown of the measures, starting with Bremerton, which is seeking voter approval for both a bond and a levy:

Bremerton School District

Bremerton's 25-year, $150 million bond is the school district's first bond measure since 2005 (Bremerton voters did approve a two-year capital levy in 2022). If approved, bond funding would be used to replace Armin Jahr and View Ridge Elementary Schools, replace the district's alternative high school, Renaissance, from its location near the district offices, upgrading HVAC systems at all schools in the district, and replacing a facilities building.

Bremerton is also seeking approval of a two-year educational programs and operations levy, which would replace an expiring four-year levy beginning in 2025. These types of levies (sometimes described as enrichment levies) are common in school districts and would fund programs, staff and services not covered by the state. Bremerton's levy would seek to collect roughly $30.2 million and the estimated tax rates for property owners would be $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2025 and $1.91 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2026.

North Kitsap School District

North Kitsap's first bond ask since 2001 is a sizeable one: $242,138,000 over 20 years. The project list includes replacing Pearson and Wolfle Elementary Schools, expanding Gordon and Poulsbo Elementary Schools and Poulsbo Middle School, upgrading Kingston Middle School, improving Kingston and North Kitsap High School softball/baseball fields and athletic facilities, and district-wide safety improvements and critical repairs.

Tuesday's bond vote comes five days after North Kitsap's School board placed Superintendent Laurynn Evans on paid administrative leave after she was named as the suspect in a Jan. 26 theft of signs opposing the bond.

Bainbridge Island School District

There are two renewal levies up for vote for Bainbridge Island School District: a four-year enrichment and operations levy and a four-year technology levy. The enrichment and operations levy would seek to collect $11.9 million in 2025, $12.25 million in 2026, $12.6 million in 2027 and $12.95 million in 2028. The estimated tax rates for each year would be $0.85 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The technology levy would seek to collect $4 million each year from 2025-28 and funding would be aimed at improving computer technology, telecommunications and networking systems, and related equipment. The estimated tax rates would be $0.29 for 2025, $0.28 for 2026, $0.27 for 2027 and $0.26 for 2028 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Central Kitsap School District

Central Kitsap is targeting a three-year educational enrichment programs and operations levy to replace an expiring two-year levy. If passed, it would seek to collect $23 million each year for 2025, 2026 and 2027. The estimated levy rate for each collection year would be $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Voters weighing school bonds, levies in Kitsap, Bremerton, Bainbridge