Reporter
Connected to the heavens, local dentist has big passion for astronomy Page 14
Central Kitsap
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012 | Vol. 27, No. 32 www.CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.com | 50¢
Bremerton schools seek $7.6 M levy New roofs and a $3 million kitchen upgrade in district plan by KATE WHITTLE kwhittle@bremertonpatriot.com
The Bremerton school board unanimously voted on April 12
to send a $7.6 million levy to voters in a special election this August. The levy seeks to raise $1.9 million a year from 2013 to
2016, and tax .61 cents per $1,000 in a property’s assessed value. Homeowners in the school district currently pay $4.5 dollars per $1,000 of tax assessed value toward the Bremerton School District, according to Meredith Green, Kitsap County
treasurer. The money is expected support improvements including adding a classroom to the West Hills STEM Academy and replacing or upgrading the district’s aging central kitchen. Bremerton School Board Director Scott Rahm said ask-
ing for money in this economy isn’t ideal, but necessary. A large portion of the levy would go toward building a new wing on the West Hills STEM Academy. Glaser said the academy houses preschool See LEVY, A2
Easy sunrise catch Greg Skinner/staff photo
A solo fisherman trolls through the morning mist clouding no-wake area of Kitsap Lake early Saturday morning. Trout fishing has been strong for weeks on the 238-acre lake with reports of double-digit catches in a few hours of fishing time. With the coming warm weather, bass, pan fish and catfish action will increase weekly.
CK School District looks to cut music time Refocus on science could save $180,000 on music teachers by KATE WHITTLE kwhittle@centralkitsapreporter.com
Greg Skinner/Staff Photo
Central Kitsap students work through “Bandroom Boogie”
Over the next few months, the Central Kitsap School District will consider how to cut back on music class to save money and to give middle-school
students more exposure to reading and science during the school day. These days, Central Kitsap fifth and sixthgraders get an average of 45 minutes of music instruction each school day, compared to 90 minutes of
math and more than two hours of reading. Officials say that cutting back on music instruction could save more than $180,000. Proposed alternatives would reduce music to 30 minutes, and increase reading or social studies and science. The decision came out of a series of community
forums and staff input about Central Kitsap students needing more science classes, said Peggy Ellis, director of elementary education. “It’s an area we’re struggling most,” she said. About 70 percent of Central Kitsap fifth-graders meet state standards See MUSIC, A10