Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Capital Projects Levy (CPL)?
   It is a voter-approved measure that provides funding for rebuilding and renovating school buildings and for critical safety, computer and technology infrastructure repairs and replacements. By law, capital projects levy dollars may not be used to operate schools or programs.
    
2. How much will the proposed capital projects levy provide for school construction and remodeling?
   The capital projects levy will provide $58 million from local taxes, with an additional $31 million coming in state matching funds and federal dollars.
    
3. What schools will be replaced and renovated if the Capital Projects Levy passes?
   Jackson Park Elementary would be replaced. Silverdale Elementary School would be renovated.
    
4. Are projects or repairs scheduled at any other schools?
   Yes. Critical repairs would be made at all other CKSD schools. Transportation, Food Services, Science Kit Center, Media Center and Warehouse would be relocated.
    
5. Why is our District asking for funding?
   The facilities in Central Kitsap are aging. A funding source is needed to fix buildings. The CP Levy would not be a new tax. It is a replacement of the bond approved by voters in 1992. This would represent a monthly increase of approximately $5.63 on a $250,000 home. This local contribution will be matched will be matched with state and federal funding. Local job opportunities will provide increased economic support for our community.
    
6. What are the impacts of a Capital Projects Levy failure?
   If the Capital Projects Levy is not approved, our District would fix facility and mechanical failures as they occur. Money to pay for these repairs would begin to come from the General Fund, which pays for schools and programs. With General Fund dollars being diverted to repairs, cutbacks would have to be made in schools and programs. The backlog of repairs now at $119.2 million would grow annually. Delayed repairs will cause an increase in negative learning environments. Unplanned projects cost more than planned projects and that would reduce the number of repairs that could be made as well as increase maintenance costs, which will be paid for from the General Fund.
   
   Our District will also have to reduce in other areas in order to refresh our technology. Some computers in our District are more than a decade old, and we need to replace these tools. They are becoming obsolete and are unable to meet the demands of current software. Our District’s technology infrastructure must be replaced with fiber. Without fiber, learning and day to day operations, including accounting, human resources, payroll and enrollment, are impacted by slow, unresponsive computers. Money to pay for these repairs would come from the General Fund, which pays for schools and programs. With some of these funds diverted to repairs, cutbacks would have to be made in schools and programs.
    
7. Why does Jackson Park Elementary need to be rebuilt instead of renovated?
   To renovate Jackson Park will cost more than 80 percent of the cost of a full replacement. A renovated building is anticipated to last for 20 years prior to major repairs being needed. A fully rebuilt building will last 30 years before major repairs are needed. In the long term when the renovation cost exceeds 75 percent of the new cost, it is more cost effective to rebuild. Jackson Park is 43 years old and has three distinct building sections. The building’s water system has broken down to the point that students and staff are restricted to drinking bottled water. The electrical and mechanical systems are at maximum capacity. More space is needed to change and improve these systems. The school has marginal traffic flow and poor playground facilities. This does not include Americans with Disabilities Act and building code issues and office and gym space issues that impact learning and safety for all students at Jackson Park.
    
8. How much is the Capital Projects Levy going to cost taxpayers?
   The capital projects levy will increase taxes by 27 cents per $1000 of assessed value from the current 2010 payment of the 1992 bond. For the owner of a $250,000 home, taxes would increase $5.63 per month or $67.50 per year from the current bond payment. That bond, passed in 1992, will be paid in full at the end of 2011.
    
9. What’s wrong with our schools as they are now?
   Our schools, like other facilities, require periodic repairs and renovation. In some instances, it is more cost effective to replace than to renovate. Other schools remain efficient and useful but need such things as site drainage repairs, roof repairs, seismic repairs, major heating and ventilation repairs and/or electrical repairs.
    
10. What is the difference between a school support levy and capital projects levy? Didn’t we just pass a levy?
    In February of 2010 voters approved a School Support Levy to pay for programs and ongoing operational costs that the state does not fund or does not fully fund as part of basic education. Instructional materials, librarians, maintenance staff, supplies and materials for schools, community schools, co-curricular, transportation, special education, and staffing are some of the areas supported by the School Support Levy. These funds are part of the General Fund operations.
    
    A Capital Projects Levy is focused on funds for repairs, renovation and replacement for our facilities and technology. If approved, this Capital Projects Levy will be collected for five years. The majority of the burden for construction and repair of school facilities falls on our local community. It is not considered a part of basic education.
     
11. What led to this District decision?
    The Facilities Infrastructure Review Committee (FIRC) was established to oversee the development of a Long Range Facilities Master Plan. The FIRC spent several years reviewing and identifying our District needs and determined that funds are needed to repair aging facilities and replace some rapidly declining buildings. The cost of waiting to address these needs would be significantly greater to our taxpayers, if this long range plan is not implemented. The FIRC was made up of community members, administrators and representatives from school staff associations. That committee, along with the Community Finance Committee, provided advice as to the best course of action.
     
12. Is the requested funding enough to complete what is planned for Phase One?
    Three funding sources will be used to implement repairs at our District schools and support facilities. Total funds available will include:
     
    Capital Projects Levy                   $ 58,100,000
    Matching State Funds/Grades     $ 13,750,000
    Federal Heavy Impact Funds      $ 17,121,000
    TOTAL                                     $ 88,971,000
     
13. Why is our District asking for a capital projects levy instead of the traditional bond election?
    All dollars go directly to fund projects. The levy is a pay-as-you-go plan. Our district doesn’t have to pay interest, which could run as high as 30 percent over the life of a bond. Once the 1992 bond is paid off at the end of 2011, our District will be debt-free.
     
14. Does this mean that our District has abandoned the interest-paying method of school facilities’ funding?
    No. Presently the plan is for the capital projects levy to be the method of funding school facilities construction and remodeling for Phase One. If this election is successful, the financing plan options for Phase Two will be reviewed based on facilities needs and the best use of money over time for the community.
     
15. What did the Board consider before calling this election?
    The Board considered the affect on student learning; the health and safety of students and staff; fiscal responsibility; community support; and the long term financial impact.
     
16. Have other revenue sources been considered?
    Yes, our District applies for all grant opportunities that could address the backlog of repairs or provide operational savings.
     
17. What is the accountability process for the levy?
    Our District will provide an annual progress report to the community indicating how capital projects levy dollars are being spent. Then, every four to six years, the community will decide whether to continue funding a capital projects measure following review of Phase Two.
     
18. Where will students at Jackson Park and Silverdale be housed during construction?
    Jackson Park students will be located in their current facilities during construction of a replacement building on the current playground area. Traffic flow will be redirected and fewer parking spaces will be available. This will allow students to remain on site during the 15 months of construction. Silverdale’s renovation will take place over 15 months. The construction efforts will necessitate a rotation by pod or area into portable classrooms for a three- to six-month period of time.
     
19. What technology will be replaced or included in the Capital Projects Levy?
    Current district computers, software, file servers, switches and other hardware will be replaced. A replacement of our district infrastructure with a fiber system will be completed. Educational classroom equipment will be provided to all classrooms in the District. Funds are also included to replace our communication and phone system that will be15 years old at the end of the five-year levy.
     
20. Will any other buildings be replaced?
    Yes. Phase One will also relocate and consolidate the Transportation Facility and Food Service/Warehouse Departments from the Central Kitsap Junior High School campus along with the Science Kit Center and the Media Center. This project will address chronic transportation problems on Anderson Hill Road and reduce annual operation expenses through consolidation.
     
21. What is the difference between a repair and a renovation?
    A renovation qualifies our District for state matching funds. It allows the repair of all the building systems (for a minimum of 20 years) to be replaced with more energy efficient systems, reduces the cost of overhead and addresses all the concerns at that particular building. The intent is to bring the building back up to its original standard, meet current building codes and Americans with Disabilities Act codes (ADA). This is the most cost effective method to extend the life of our buildings.
    
    A repair is focused on a single building system or component. The work is bid by contractors and entails a much higher overhead cost per dollar. No state matching funds are available for most repairs. Our District’s effort to monitor work and report to various agencies is the same whether the project is a repair or renovation. The Facilities Infrastructure Review Committee is committed to using the renovation method of maintaining our facilities unless a replacement is more cost effective.
     
22. What types of projects or repairs are planned for our District schools?
    Capital projects or repairs vary by school. Our District has developed a specific list of capital projects or repairs for each school. Types of repairs include: site repairs to address drainage problems and meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act; repairs of existing roofing systems and exterior wall systems; seismic repairs to improve safety; repairs to building mechanical and controls system to enhance indoor air quality; and repairs to building electrical, fire alarm, intercom and data systems. The planned repairs for the data systems will support the needs of the educational program.
     
23. If I don’t have children in our District schools, how does this benefit me?
    Good schools and facilities support the community, the local economy and home values. Well maintained schools will continue to attract new families and increase the value of YOUR home. The community uses our District facilities almost every day of the year. These uses provide recreation, leisure, learning and many other activities for our community, which make this a better place to live. Good schools and well-maintained facilities help to draw and retain businesses to our local community. A positive business climate helps to support a thriving community. Well maintained facilities support strong real estate values, build community spirit and minimize long term costs to taxpayers.
     
24. Can the closed schools (Seabeck and Tracyton) be sold to mitigate the money that is requested in the levy? What is happening with them?
    The Board of Directors, with a recommendation from the Superintendent and the Community Finance Committee, has voted to surplus Seabeck Elementary for the purpose of rent, lease or purchase. A request for proposals will be published this winter. Our District owns a piece of property for a future Seabeck Elementary on Larson Lane. Tracyton Elementary was not placed in a surplus status as there is very little land available on the east side of our District for a future school. Currently a portion is rented and it will be under review and considered for other District programs. Given the current economy, the value to sell each piece of property was very small. Our District might break even in liquidating both pieces of property and would then lose flexibility and incur additional costs for the community in the future.
     
25. What has been used in the past to fund Capital Projects?
    For the past 10 years the primary funding source for Capital Projects has been federal Heavy Impact funds.  We have also applied for and received energy conservation grants and state matching funds for the renovation at Cottonwood.  As our enrollment and our military population have declined, there are significantly less Heavy Impact funds available.  At the same time our backlog of repairs has doubled.  The need cannot be met without local resources and still protect the investment of our community.
     
26. Why are funds needed now?
    Funds are needed now as a result of our escalating backlog of repair and declining federal Heavy Impact Aid funds. If we wait to address this constantly increasing need, educational programs will be impacted and the future cost to the local taxpayer will be significantly greater.
     
27. How could this levy benefit the local economy?
    The infusion of construction projects totaling almost $89 million will create opportunities for local general contractors and sub-contractors.  Professional engineers, surveyors, architects and others will provide services to the projects.  Trades such as electricians, carpenters and more will find work. Finally, our local businesses will see purchases from these workers. Additionally, the matching funds from outside our local area will create added opportunities that provide work and dollars spent locally.
     
28. If the CPL doesn't pass in February, what happens next?
    Washington state legislation allows school districts to run two elections, for the same purpose, in any given calendar year.  In the event CKSD does not pass the election in February 2011, the Capital Projects Levy election will be placed back on the ballot in the spring of 2011.
     
29. If the CPL doesn't pass for the second time in the spring of 2011, what happens next?
    The next available date to run a facilities related initiative will not be until 2012. In the meantime, new facilities-related funding options will be considered and presented to the School Board not later than the spring of 2012.    
     
30. What are the consequences of not passing the CPL in February or in the spring of 2011?
    The work outlined in the facilities plan must be accomplished. There are critical repairs needed for safety reasons. Repairs and renovations are needed to address several deteriorating schools and buildings. Our technology is significantly outdated and does not meet state standard for student learning. Furthermore, failure of the CPL will mean increased costs to the local taxpayer. Given the current economic conditions, contractors are immediately available in a highly competitive market which would mean an overall savings to CKSD. As the economy improves, the cost of construction will increase.  The current facilities bond expires in 2011, which means there is no local taxpayer revenue to address the $119 million backlog of repairs. An alternative funding source for capital facilities repairs is the CKSD general fund.  Every dollar that is moved from the general fund into the capital projects fund will have a negative and direct impact on classrooms and consequently on student achievement.
     
31. Could state budget difficulties impact the projects proposed in the Capital Projects Levy?
    Potentially. For many years, the state has provided financial assistance to school districts that need to renovate or replace buildings. Three CKSD buildings (Jackson Park, Silverdale and Transportation) on the proposed CPL qualify for state financial assistance. This assistance must be applied for through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
    
    Each year the Legislature sets a capital budget for K-12 construction. Currently this budget may be affected by the economic conditions of the state. When there isn't enough money to fund all the projects in a given year, OSPI creates a priority list to fund projects. Any unfunded projects are then reprioritized with requests for the following year. (This has only happened once, back in the 1970s.)
    
    If the CPL is approved, the Jackson Park project would be on tap to receive the state financial assistance in the 2014-15 school year. Right now, it isn't possible to predict if state funding for these projects will be on time or delayed. Regardless of when CKSD receives the state assistance funds the district has planned the cash flow for the CPL in order to move ahead on each of these three projects. However, if state assistance funding is delayed it could in turn delay the remaining projects.
     

32. How will passage of the Capital Projects Levy affect staffing levels and overhead costs in the Facilities Department?
    If the Capital Projects Levy is approved, there will be an increase in the level of staffing required to administer and manage the $89 million in capital projects.  Although we have some capacity inside this department already, the requirements for project management, budget tracking, state and federal reporting requirements and communication will increase. These costs were considered in the District’s Long Range Facilities Plan and are included in the current levy request.
     

33. Why does the District need additional bandwidth for data communications?
    Although the District has been aware of the need for additional bandwidth for many years, the need has become urgent. Most operational software has either converted to an Internet-based version or resides on the central servers, and many new educational and administrative programs for staff and students now require Internet access. Our current bandwidth cannot accommodate the daily data communications and records requirements of a large school district. Often throughout the day, when students and staff access needed files and applications simultaneously, the system is overwhelmed and unable to respond. The Capital Projects Levy will allow us to replace infrastructure to increase our capacity and speed for learning, teaching and support, which will increase the efficiency of the total District.