North Kitsap school bond fails, Central Kitsap school levy trails in initial returns

North Kitsap voters made a clear statement Tuesday, rejecting the school district's first bond measure in 23 years in overwhelming fashion as the Kitsap County Auditor's office released its initial special election results.

Out of 12,344 votes counted, only 4,552 (36.9%) supported North Kitsap's 20-year, $242 million bond. There were 7,792 votes (63.1%) against the measure, which requires 60% approval. Although special election results won't be certified until Feb. 23, Tuesday's result left no doubt as to what's next for North Kitsap School District.

"The failure of the capital bond means that we will have to restart the facilities planning process," North Kitsap spokesperson Jenn Markaryan said in a statement. "We will work closely with our community, the facilities committee, and school board to come up with a plan to address our aging facilities."

The current bond measure aimed to replace Pearson and Wolfle Elementary Schools, expand Gordon and Poulsbo Elementary Schools and Poulsbo Middle School, upgrade Kingston Middle School, improve Kingston and North Kitsap High School softball/baseball fields and athletic facilities, and fund district-wide safety improvements and critical repairs.

Related: Bremerton bond passing narrowly, but North Kitsap bond measure trails

Critics of the bond included former North Kitsap school board member Scott Henden, who helped craft the "against" committee argument in local voters' pamphlet. In the weeks leading up to the special election, he and others described the bond measure as inequitable and lacking broad community input. The Suquamish Tribe also declined to endorse the bond, which did not include any project-specific funding for Suquamish Elementary School.

Anti-bond sentiment escalated following a Jan. 26 incident in which North Kitsap Superintendent Laurynn Evans was named as the suspect in a theft of campaign signs opposing the bond. Henden and fellow bond opponent Kim Gerlach initially filed the report with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office. Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney Chad Enright told the Kitsap Sun last week that his office is still reviewing the case.

North Kitsap's school board voted Feb. 8 to place Evans on paid administrative leave. Rachel Davenport, the district's executive director of human resources, is serving as acting superintendent for the foreseeable future.

Central Kitsap's three-year levy failing

Central Kitsap School District's three year educational enrichment programs and operations levy was failing Tuesday with 13,053 votes counted: 6,362 (48.7%) voters supported the measure, while 6,691 (51.3%) voters were against it. School levies require a simple majority (50% plus one vote) for approval.

"We'll continue to watch the results over the next few days," Central Kitsap School District spokesperson David Beil said in a statement. "No matter the outcome, our focus will remain on our students."

Operations levies supplement the state's basic education allotment to operate and maintain schools and help school districts pay for classroom support, special education, counseling, transportation, food service, arts, athletics and activities, security and utilities.

If passed, Central Kitsap's school levy 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.

If Central Kitsap's levy fails, the school district would undoubtedly seek to run another levy measure later this year. In 2022, Central Kitsap voters failed to approve a levy in February, but then approved one in April.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: North Kitsap school bond, Central Kitsap school levy failing