The Central Kitsap School Board approved a recommendation for a levy Wednesday but hesitated to forward it to the February ballot.

The board was presented with three options for the first phase of 36-year plan during Wednesday’s board meeting. They approved he third option 5-0 — recommended by Superintendent Greg Lynch — representing nearly a 13 percent increase over the current tax rate.

They were also scheduled to pass a resolution that would have handed it to voters next year, but chose to wait until August to decide.

The levy, if passed, will help pay for the replacement of Jackson Park Elementary, the renovation of Silverdale Elementary, bring in newer technology to the classrooms and relocate the district’s transportation center.

Option three would bring in the most money, about $11 million each year for five years.

“If we go for one or two, once again we’re pushing it off down the road,” said board member Eric Greene.

Lynch said the district has unsuccessfully tried to pass measures in the past — a bond in 2003 and a levy in 2005.

With a growing list of buildings in need of repair, Lynch said it’s critical the levy is passed this time.

“We have got to pass this election,” he said. “When we go out, we better ask for an amount the community can support.”

The last measure passed by the school district, a bond, was in 1992. It is scheduled to be paid off in February.

The money from the bond was used primarily for the construction of both Klahowya Secondary School in 1997 and Pinecrest Elementary in 1998.