Bremerton School District Levy & Bond mailer - 1/2024

FUNDING MEASURE

FACTS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS (EP&O) LEVY CAPITAL BOND

School districts rely on local, voterapproved funding measures to fill the gap between the funding the state provides for schools and what it actually costs to educate our youth.

15%

of Bremerton’s operating budget comes from the EP&O Levy.

$

2023-24 BUDGET

Proposition 1: Replacement EP&O Levy

Proposition 2: Capital Bond

Our Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy supports student programs and opportunities not fully funded by the state.

A $150 million bond of up to 25 years would pay for new construction and building renovations to improve schools and facilities constructed 37–78 years ago that have 21st century learning needs.

ABOUT THE LEVY The proposed Replacement EP&O Levy renews a previously approved levy through 2026.

In Bremerton, levy dollars support: 100% of extracurricular activities, like athletics, theater and music 89% of safety & security officers 83% of technology staff 82% of maintenance & custodial staff 73% of classroom support staff 32% of health services & counselors 22% of special education supports 21% of classroom teachers

ABOUT THE BOND Bremerton School District’s proposed bond projects were determined by engaging a Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC), a group composed of community members, parents, and school and district staff to assess current building conditions, identify needs, and recommend action.

The FAC determined that, while the district makes the most of every building with creative repurposing and careful maintenance, many buildings have outlasted their useful life.

See inside for a list of proposed bond projects. q

Please remember to vote by February 13, 2024!

For more information visit www.BremertonSchools.org/Levy-Bond

Armin Jahr Elementary

Bond Projects The proposed $150 million bond would address these high-priority projects, which were identified as the most urgent by the Facilities Advisory Committee.

Built in 1969 Cost of updates would be higher than current value.

REPLACE

View Ridge Elementary

Renaissance High School

1986 Portables Can’t meet all class needs; needs more central location.

REPLACE/ RELOCATE

Consolidated Facilities

Eligible for State Assistance!

We are eligible for an estimated $22 million in funding from the state for the Armin Jahr and View Ridge projects, but only if the bond passes.

Built in 1952 Despite updates, school has reached the end of its life.

REPLACE

Districtwide

Built in 1945 Facility should have been replaced decades ago.

REPLACE

Upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)

Taxpayer Cost* Because the two proposed measures are replacing existing levies that are expiring, if the proposed measures pass, taxes are projected to decrease.

LOCAL SCHOOL TAX RATES

MONTHLY COST FOR $400K HOMEOWNER

$3.06

$2.95

$1.13 EXPIRING CAPITAL LEVY

$1.06 PROPOSED BOND

$1.93 EXPIRING EP&O LEVY

$1.89 PROPOSED EP&O LEVY

PER MONTH

CURRENT 2024 RATES*

2025 RATES WITH BOND*

2024 TOTAL ESTIMATED

$102

$98.33

PER MONTH (ABOUT $4 LESS)

2025 WITH BOND

*Tax rates are per $1,000 assessed property value. Future tax rates are estimates. Tax rates may fluctuate, based on community growth and assessed values, but the district cannot collect more than approved by voters.

Please remember to vote by February 13, 2024!

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS

Q: What is a levy?

A: Levies are short-term (1-6 year) local property taxes that must be approved by the voters of a school district. An operations levy generates funding for educational programs and services that the state does not fund or under funds.

Q: What is a bond?

A: A bond is a long-term funding option, similar to a mortgage, that provides money for large capital projects like remodeling schools or building new ones. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections.

Q: What is required for a bond or levy to be approved?

A: Bonds require a 60% supermajority approval to pass, which is 60% plus one vote of the total votes cast. For a bond to pass, the election must also be validated, meaning voter turnout must be equal to 40% of the voters who cast ballots in the last general election. Levies, on the other hand, require a simple majority of 50% of voters voting “yes” to pass.

Q: Why are both schools that are being replaced on the east side?

A: Armin Jahr and View Ridge Elementaries are two of the oldest schools in the District with the most urgent needs, as determined by the Facilities Advisory Committee. Student capacity is also an issue in East Bremerton. Enrollment projections for the District indicate that population growth is anticipated in East Bremerton, yet there are only two elementary schools there as compared to four in West Bremerton.

Q: Why rebuild rather than renovate Armin Jahr and View Ridge?

A: During our recent Long Range Facility Planning process, architects and engineers advised that it would be more expensive to renovate and maintain Armin Jahr and View Ridge versus just replacing the facilities. New buildings incorporate contemporary safety features, like limited, secure entry points and enhanced environmental features, such as augmented natural lighting. New structures are also designed to seamlessly integrate the latest technology and offer modern learning environments. Additionally, they provide efficient and comfortable heating, cooling, and lighting systems, coupled with the chance to lay new plumbing and foundations. All of this minimizes the cost of facility upkeep for the district and community in the future.

VOTER INFORMATION Watch your mail boxes! Ballots will be mailed at the end of January. Be sure to return your ballot by 8 p.m. on February 13th. Ballots can be returned by mail (no postage required!) or dropped off at a ballot drop box or voting location.

Find ballot drop box locations or get more information scanning the code or by calling 360-337-7128.

Voter Registration Thursday, February 1 is the last day for online or mail-in voter registration for new Washington voters and the last day for online and mail-in address changes for existing Washington voters! In-person voter registration is available until 8 p.m. on election day.

For more information, please scan the code.

Property Tax Assistance & Exemptions Property tax assistance is available for widows or widowers of veterans, homeowners with limited income, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and non-profit organizations. Learn more by scanning the code with your smartphone.

For more information visit www.BremertonSchools.org/Levy-Bond

134 Marion Ave. N., Bremerton, WA 98312 BremertonSchools.org

BREMERTON’S 2024 FUNDING MEASURES:

EP&O Levy & Bond REMEMBER TO VOTE BY FEB. 13, 2024!

MESSAGE FROM OUR

School Board President Dear fellow community members:

Please vote

by Feb. 13!

Look inside for more information about two school funding measures.

Our schools have a profound impact on the students we serve today and the futures we impact tomorrow. Consider this: by the time a Bremerton student graduates from high school, they will have dedicated more than 13,000 hours of their young lives to academic and personal growth within our school walls. This figure soars when we account for extracurricular activities, such as theater, music, and athletics. It is the important charge of our School Board of Directors and our school staff to ensure that these thousands of hours are spent receiving a high-quality education in safe and modern learning facilities.

After careful consideration and input from families, educators, and our community, the Board acted on the recommendation of the Facilities Advisory Committee and placed two funding measures on the February 13 Special Election ballot. If approved, these measures will support the continuation of programs, staff positions, and services that our community expects while also modernizing some of our oldest facilities, all at a lower cost to taxpayers.

Please familiarize yourself with the details of these funding measures by visiting BremertonSchools.org/Levy-Bond or attending an upcoming community meeting (dates listed on our web page). If you have questions, please call 360-473-1002, #3.

With gratitude, Aly Rotter President, Bremerton School Board