Just how many miles in the snow (or rain) did you walk to get to school? What stories from “back in the day” do you share about your first teacher or the lunch line? If you drive by a Central Kitsap School District school today, it all still feels pretty familiar, even if you’re not an alumnus. The buses are still bumblebee yellow, each day still begins with a bell, and the schools, for the most part, still look exactly the same, regardless of how old you are.
But the learning inside doesn’t look at all like it used to. Today’s first graders use PowerPoint to animate presentations about the solar system. Chromebooks replace spiral notebooks for project collaboration and customized learning that is infinitely more interactive and interest-driven. Students no longer have to wait for library time to explore a new curiosity or support a theory. For those of us who are non-digital natives, the potential is exhilarating. We try to keep up (and we certainly hope that our kids do more than that).
The reality is that CKSD’s aging schools, many of which predate current parents and even grandparents, are not keeping up with what’s going on inside. Many of our old schools are in need of significant repair. Multiple studies have established that certain schools are cheaper to replace than to renovate. To this end, modern facilities and infrastructure are essential as today’s students use technology to expand learning opportunities, build cultural awareness, and prepare for the global workforce. Flexible classrooms and workspaces will support hands-on educational experiences that incorporate STEM, performing arts, and technical training. On a more urgent level, modernization efforts will also address present-day safety concerns by providing centralized building entries, electronic access, and security cameras at all schools.
These priorities have not been arbitrarily defined. They are community priorities, shaped by a comprehensive series of surveys, focus groups, and interviews that culminated in an updated 2015 Strategic Plan. The proposed bond and levy measures are designed to implement that strategic plan in alignment with the District’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility. In fact, the measures replace expiring levies without a tax rate increase. They are a renewal of our community’s investment and will provide safe, modern learning environments to keep pace with our growing community. Please join us in voting “yes” for the CKSD bond and levy measures.
– The CKSD Board Advisory Panel:
Stacey Saunders, Seabeck,
Carrie Abernathy, Silverdale,
Harriette Bryant, East Bremerton,
Phil Havers, Seabeck,
Josh Hopp, Silverdale,
Mark Hughes, Silverdale,
Amy Lawrence, Chico,
Judy Mentor-Eagleson, Tracyton.
