Central Kitsap school levy narrowly failing after initial count

The Kitsap County Auditor's office on Tuesday night revealed that Central Kitsap School District's three-year educational enrichment programs and operations levy is narrowly failing.

The measure received 8,019 "no" votes (50.5%) and 7,864 "yes" votes (49.5%). Central Kitsap saw a similar three-year levy proposal in February fail when only 49.6% voted to approve the measure. School levies need a 50% plus one approval to pass.

The next vote total update is expected to be Wednesday at 5 p.m. The election certification date is May 3.

School district spokesperson David Beil provided the following statement after Tuesday's count: "As the votes continue to be counted, the outcome of the school support levy remains uncertain. We understand the concern that comes with this uncertainty. What does remain certain is our dedication to students, regardless of the result. We are prepared to navigate either outcome with transparency, always with the goal of providing the best education possible within our resources."

Central Kitsap's levy measure aims to replace a two-year EP&O levy that voters approved in 2022 and expires at the end of the year. School districts can only run levy measures, which require a simple majority for approval, twice per calendar year.

If this current levy measure is approved, Central Kitsap's levy collection amounts would be an estimated $21 million for 2025, $22 million for 2026 and $23 million for 2027. The estimated levy rate for property owners would be $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value each year. The expiring levy has a rate of $1.50 per $1,000 and raised approximately $20 million in 2023.

CKSD Superintendent Erin Prince has previously stated that a "no" vote would result in the loss of close to $30 million in funding in 2025. In addition to the $21 million in levy dollars that would not be collected, the district would also not receive $8 million in federally-apportioned Heavy Impact Aid, which is used for capital projects, or $800,000 in state-apportioned Local Effort Assistance. Both are contingent on a local levy being in place.

Central Kitsap's last double levy failure occurred in 1994.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Central Kitsap school levy narrowly failing after initial count