SILVERDALE – Central Kitsap School District is pursuing legal action to restore Heavy Impact Aid funding through the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Heavy Impact Aid is funding provided to school districts with large military populations. Four years ago, the Department of Education changed its rules for Heavy Impact Aid and denied funding to CKSD. After reviewing the case, a federal administrative law judge said this denial was “improper” and ruled in favor of the district.

Unfortunately, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan reversed the judge’s decision.

“We are deeply disappointed but not surprised that Secretary Duncan has chosen to reverse the decision of an independent administrative law judge,” said CKSD Superintendent David McVicker.

“He instead wholeheartedly adopted the reasoning of his own staff.”

It has taken nearly four years for the Department of Education to issue a final ruling in this dispute.

“We believe that this delay is not only arbitrary and unreasonable, but also has denied our taxpayers due process because only now can the district appeal Secretary Duncan’s decision to an independent federal court,” said McVicker. “And that is what the district intends to do.”

Throughout this process U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Derek Kilmer continue to express support for the return of Heavy Impact Aid.