THAT TAXING ALLIANCE

Between South Kitsap School District and South Kitsap Fire and Rescue & PO Chamber of Commerce

Went to another SKSD levy meeting last night at the SKFR fire station. It was sponsored by Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce. It was anticipated that there would be a much higher turnout, but the voters were just not there. The same usual suspects that we saw during SKSD’s failed $271 million dollar bond effort were:

· SKSD Superintendent Winter

· Assistant Superintendent of SKSD Finances Ms. Hunsucker

· SKSD Information Officer Ms. Miller 

· The President of the SKSS PAC Ms. Wilhelm.

· No SKSD’s Board Directors were present. 

There were perhaps 8 or 9 other citizens present in the SKFR fire hall on Tremont. One of the attendees did post a video of the meeting, which is actually a repeat of the same info-video shown by SKSD on 1/15/2025. 

Those in attendance did ask all the right questions, and it was once more confirmed, this time on recording, that SKSD PE classes/equipment are not covered by the levy, only extra curricular activities, sports, professional development, salaries, etc., and that due to this being a renewal, nothing will be added or changed in regard to academic proficiency. 

If you can’t visit the Port Orchard Politics page, here is link to that video posted on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15UnHXvMZv/ if you care to watch the repeat of the LIVE stream that was posted back on January 15th.

Some Disappointing Take-A-Ways

· 3rd grade level math isn't set to hit 75% proficiency until 2027. Nothing has changed nor is changing on academic improvements. 

· Everything is just projected, like the assessed value of our homes in regard to the levy. However, we can certainly depend on our taxes rising and student academic success not increasing anytime soon, no matter how much money they ask us to throw at it.

· SKSD is literally asking us for money for extra curricular activities that aren't funded with basic education by the state, yet they continue to repeat that worn out mantra: “’Levies Are For Learning”. 

· By the time we are at 75% with just math alone, it will be 7 years after COVID and yet they still blame COVID for the district’s failures. 

The way that Asst. Super Hunsucker discussed ESSER funds and the $20.5M they spent like it was petty cash is astounding. They were found lacking on just one thing during the last SAO audit, but no mention of the 20.5 million of ESSER funds that little were actually directed for there purpose, lower loss of learning that occurred as a result of COVID.

Instead of the presenters at this shindig explaining the measurements of effectiveness, we are being invited to meet with Mr. Winter “privately” for him to show us that what they're doing is working.

That pretty much sums up the “Last Call” before we start voting on the SKSD 2026 levies ask for a $133 million dollar “enrichment” levy.