The “Yes for NKSD Kids” citizens campaign is thrilled by the election results. The voters have spoken and have agreed to entrust the North Kitsap School District with their local tax dollars, renewing the school district levy for another four years.
The mission of our levy campaign was to ensure voters valued and ultimately approved local funding as a key contribution to the education of each individual child and all children collectively in the North Kitsap School District. And we have done that.
Years of school budget cuts by the state Legislature have resulted in the elimination of school programs and decreased staffing. We are all still pained by attrition among beloved teachers and last year’s agonizing closure of Breidablik Elementary. Though we try to move forward, all these things still impact today’s students and teachers, beleaguering parents and the community. And all of these things made the renewal of this levy more critical than at any other time.
We know there has been an expressed desire for openness, more dialogue, and direct input into matters related to school finances and district spending. We look forward to working with Superintendent Patty Page, the school board, and the constituents of the North Kitsap School District to develop a broader coalition among parents, teachers and the community.
The school district’s commitment to increased and continued listening is a great way to show voters that their confidence is well placed and our kids are better prepared for the real world because of the investment made by our local taxpayers.
A huge thank you to the many individual and business supporters, and a small energized group of persons who championed this cause.
The Honk and Wave crews led by Christine Fraser, and doorbelling efforts led by Beth Worthington and Mike McCorkle, were truly impressive.
Stacie Schmechel gave so much of herself organizing and encouraging and eliciting feedback from the community.
Greg Enright, Nick Jewett, Randy Borek and Clint Boxman were terrific campaign strategists and historians.
And the school district — Superintendent Patty Page, Community Relations and Comm-unications Coordinator Jennifer Markaryan, and Finance Director Monica Hunsaker — did a fantastic job educating the community on the complexities of school financing. But we could not have done this without all those voters who turned in their ballots and voted yes for NKSD kids. We thank you all.
And, of course, we thank the North Kitsap Herald for its endorsement and for highlighting the importance of the North Kitsap School District levy renewal to its readership.
Tania Issa, chairperson
Yes for NKSD Kids
