Central Kitsap School District is asking voters to support a three-year $3.47 per $1,000 assessed value levy to help pay for daily operations. CKSD is also asking voters to support a 20-year $1.74 per $1,000 assessed value bond that would fund an ambitious $220 million major upgrade of its buildings. Both are worthwhile investments.

The two measures would cost taxpayers the same total school tax rate they are currently paying – $5.21 per $1,000 assessed value.

CK High School, built in 1942, and CK Middle School, in 1959, have served students well over the years, but they are tired buildings in need of costly and significant repairs and should be replaced. According to CKSD, it would cost $15-$20 million less to build a new high school and middle school than it would to repair the existing buildings.

If approved, the proposed bond would also end the use of portable buildings at CKHS, Olympic High School and Klahowya High School. Instead, permanent classrooms would be built.

The physical age of CKHS, the presence of asbestos in the buildings, security concerns and lack of adherence to modern fire and seismic codes are big issues that are worth addressing. The electrical system at CKHS also appears to be inadequate.

These are significant structural deficiencies, and it’s often more expensive to repair, retrofit and remodel existing buildings than to just tear a building down and start from scratch.

The proposed pick-up and drop-off bus and car lanes as well as parking lot improvements in the plan fulfill efficiency and safety needs.

Interest rates are low, and it makes sense to start construction now to avoid expected higher inflationary costs later. Now is a good time to get this project moving.

The downside to the bond is that taxpayers will be burdened with a 20-year obligation. (The levy is for three years.) CKSD mailed a flyer recently that stated the proposed bond and levy are not new taxes. It would have been better if they called them replacement taxes.

One concern is that there are other tax proposals in the pipeline such as a foot ferry sales tax. Voters also recently approved two levies and a bond for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue. At some point the taxpayer could start rejecting tax increases, regardless of merit.

CKSD is a good school district with caring teachers. Although many people tend to support schools less after their children have passed through the system, it is our feeling that supporting the schools is important. Having students work their way through a good, strong, challenging school system makes for good, successful citizens with much potential. It makes for the kind of community that we want to live in.

[RELATED: A tour of Central Kitsap High School ]

[RELATED: $220 million sought for major CK schools upgrade ]