This version corrects figures in the third paragraph, and the vote percentage required for approval.

BREMERTON — A majority of voters in Bremerton and Central Kitsap school districts were approving levy and bond measures Feb. 9. But a bond measure requiring 60 percent voter approval was too close to call.

Bremerton School District residents voted 3,800 to 2,382 – 61.5 percent to 38.5 percent – in favor of a property tax levy to support capital improvements, according to the first results released by the Kitsap County Auditor Elections Division after polls closed at 8 p.m. The measure requires a simple majority in order to be approved. An updated ballot count is expected by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10.

The Central Kitsap School District levy proposal received 7,655 to 4,544, or 62.8 percent to 37.2 percent. That measure also requires a simple majority for passage. CKSD’s bond measure was leading 7,306 to 4,854, or 60.1 percent to 39.9 percent. That measure requires 60 percent approval for passage.

Bremerton’s levy would impose a tax of .94 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation the first year, and 88 cents per $1,000 the second and third years, to raise $8.6 million for construction, renovation, improvements and expansion of new and existing facilities; and for technology improvements, equipment and training to meet current and future educational program needs.

The levy “will provide funding for student technology, security and safety systems, refurbishing the Performing Arts Center, turf fields at Bremerton High School and Knights Field and the removal of the East High School building along with other facility upgrades,” the Bremerton Committee for Good Schools wrote in the voters’ guide. No opposing statement was submitted.

Central Kitsap School District Proposition 1 would levy a tax of $3.47 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation the first year, $3.41 per $1,000 the second year, and $3.36 per $1,000 the third year to raise $68.7 million to pay part of the day-to-day operations cost of the district — including classroom teachers, librarians, and nurses; co-curricular activities; athletics; arts and music programs; classroom computer technology; and other instructional program support.

“Washington State only provides 71% of the district budget,” a committee supporting the measure wrote in the voters’ guide; there was no opposing statement published. “The Federal Government provides 9%, and local levy dollars provide the remaining 20%. Levy money directly supports quality education in areas the state doesn’t fully fund, including: activities and athletics, arts, drama, and music, libraries, classroom computers, smaller class sizes, special education, teachers and staff and transportation.

“In addition, a ‘Yes’ vote from local voters sends the message to our state and federal governments that the CK community supports K-12 education. A ‘Yes’ from our voters is matched with additional state funding of approximately $4 [million per] year, as well as ‘Heavy Impact Aid’ from the federal government of an estimated $6 [million per] year.”

The levy would replace the prior school-support levy that is expiring and, combined with approval of the new capital projects bond, would keep tax rates the same, supporters said.

The district’s Proposition 2 would authorize the district to issue $220 million bonds to replace the aging Central Kitsap High and Middle Schools; build permanent classrooms at Olympic High and Klahowya Secondary Schools to replace portable, temporary buildings; modernize technical education classrooms; and make districtwide repairs to roofs, structures, and electrical distribution and heating systems.

The bonds would be repaid over a 20-year period with property taxes; the rate is expected to to $1.74 per $1,000 of assessed value for the first eight years, decreasing to $1.61 per $1,000 of assessed value for the remaining life of the bonds.

Supporters wrote in the voters’ guide, “Some of the bond improvements include: Creating new entryways and entry systems to protect our children and our investment in their education; Replacing Central Kitsap Middle School (57 years old) and Central Kitsap High School (74 years old) to create modern schools with better access; Building new classrooms at Klahowya Secondary School and Olympic High School to replace outdated portables; and making necessary repairs at several elementary schools that are more than 30 years old and in need of new roofing, heating, electrical, etc. In addition, if our bond is approved, it will be matched by additional state funding of approximately $40 million. This bond replaces the expiring capital projects levy, but even with the passage of the new bond and school support levy, school tax rates will remain the same.”

ONLINE: Central Kitsap High School shows its age in tour