South Kitsap School District will continue the Senior Tax Exchange Program (STEP) in 2015. This program allows qualifying residents to receive a tax break on their local school tax (levy and bond) in exchange for their time and skills working within the district.

STEP was created in response to concerns of local citizens who are living on fixed incomes and experiencing rising property taxes. In addition, the program offers more opportunities to increase the contributions of senior citizens in public schools.

To qualify for the program, residents must meet all of the following criteria; must be 62 years of age or older; own and reside in their own home within SKSD boundaries; receive Social Security or retirement income; and have a gross household annual income of more than $35,000 and less than $65,000.

Participating residents can provide their skills (valued at the current hourly Washington State minimum wage) to schools in the South Kitsap School District, up to but not to exceed the resident’s annual local tax bill. Participants will receive a two-party check payable to themselves and the Kitsap County Treasurer in time for the April and/or October collection deadlines.

The minimum time donation is 20 hours between January and June 2015. Please note that the space in this program is limited and applicants will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

To apply for the program or learn more, please call Amy Miller at 360-874-7005 or download an application from the SKSD website at www.skitsap.wednet.edu. Click on the “Parents and Community” tab to find the STEP link.