With 2017 behind us, the Independent pulled headlines of significant events in Port Orchard and South Kitsap as part of a look back at area happenings, good and bad, this past year. The first-half summary appeared in last week’s edition. The second half is summarized in this edition.

At first glance, the news headlines of 2017 involved lots of “to be continued” issues with no apparent solution in sight. One example — overcrowding in South Kitsap’s schools, particularly at South Kitsap High — continues to inconvenience students and teachers, and impede efforts to create an optimal learning environment.

On reflection, it’s obvious that no amount of duct tape and glue will resolve the issue. It’s a concern the community needs to confront beginning this year.

The reality is that overcrowded schools are an impediment to economic growth in any community. In our case, families with good incomes will continue to bypass Port Orchard and South Kitsap as new nesting spots if our schools continue to suffer in comparison to other school districts in Kitsap County. By shortchanging our school district out of the resources it needs, South Kitsap and Port Orchard will continue to lag in quality-of-life surveys studied closely by potential residents. It will require community resolve, combined with a financial commitment from taxpayers, to reverse this troubling trend.

The next school superintendent surely will have that issue at the top of his or her priority list after taking office. The incoming superintendent — and the district’s board of directors — invariably will revisit options to relieve overcrowding, particularly at the high school. Whatever long-term solution they choose to pursue, of course, will require taxpayers to step up and fund it. The long-term investment funded by South Kitsap taxpayers will pay dividends in the classroom and community for years to come. Thankfully, the state has come through with a new education budget, which is expected to take some pressure off local districts to scramble for monies just to keep their schools running. Up to now, they have been forced to pass levies in order to pay for basic education services that should be the responsibility of state government.

Transportation issues also dominated the news spotlight in 2017. Congestion continues to plague Port Orchard’s main roadways — Bethel Avenue resembles a Seattle traffic backlog just about every weekday afternoon. A solutions, alas, is years away and a lack of funding sources is to blame. But every major endeavor has to have a beginning; Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu and City Council members are planning to delve into the Bethel Avenue improvement project this year and look at ways to begin work on at least a small portion of the improvement plan. That first step eventually will lead to a finished, widened four-lane road, along with some ancillary transportation improvements.

Progress was made in 2017 on the transportation front — the Tremont Street widening project got underway last year and, when completed in 2019, will give us a four-lane roadway with two roundabouts, plus other improvements. Commuters to and from SR 16 will endure some temporary pain with backups and detours as the work continues. But when the project is finished, the city will have a beautiful entryway into Port Orchard that will have mitigated existing and near-future traffic problems.

We’re looking at the Tremont project’s completion date with anticipation, as we do with progress locally on the education front.

We hope your own New Year also is buzzing with anticipation and expectations for better things in 2018.