Bremerton School District

2010 levy facts

 

THANK YOU
Bremerton Commuinity for supporting our schools!

 

On February 9, 2010, voters were asked to renew their support for the Bremerton School Support Levy.

This measure is NOT A NEW TAX but simply a RENEWAL of an existing funding plan.

 

 

View our Levy Facts Brochure delivered to residents in January.

 

The Bremerton School District has won numerous awards for innovative programs by investing local levy dollars in programs that improve student achievement.

Did You Know?

  • Crownhill Elementary School received the Title I Academic Achievement Award and the 2009 National Title I Distinguished School Award.
  • Bremerton’s Early Childhood Program serves as the State’s Lighthouse District, teaching other districts how to develop a strong PK-3 program through funding from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant Recipient.
  • Naval Avenue Learning Center is one of only 11 schools in the nation recognized by the Foundation for Child Development as a Pre K through third grade school.
    Bremerton Schools Foundation and other scholarship awards total more than 3.3 million dollars in 2009.
  • Bremerton joined with the National Guard Washington Youth Academy to provide a highly disciplined, safe, and professional learning environment that empowers at-risk youth to improve their educational level and employment potential.
  • Bremerton hosts the West Sound Technical Skills Center Program - a consortium of eight school districts teaching a variety of popular vocational technical knowledge and skills to high school students in grades 11 and 12.
  • Award winning music programs.

 

With the Previous Levy

  • Provided Free Full-Day Kindergarten for all students.
  • Provided a School Resource Officer.
  • Increased student achievement at every grade level.
  • Replaced outdated servers and upgraded technology district-wide.
  • Increased our athletics, music, and after-school programs to give our students more opportunities to be successful.
  • Purchased new reading, math, and science curriculum to enhance student learning.
  • Trained more staff in research-driven, best instructional practices.
  • Maintained top quality facilities and grounds.

The School Support Levy supports those areas that are NOT fully covered by State or Federal funds.

Classroom Needs
Additional teachers for smaller class sizes and specialized programs for students; expanded summer classroom support; staff development; updated instructional materials for subjects like reading, writing, and math; supplies and materials for teachers; teacher stipends for curriculum leadership and department head functions.

School Support

Additional teachers for support and special needs; more crossing guards; more playground supervision; secondary school security; library books; emergency preparedness.

Technology
Computer purchase and replacement; student records support system; computer and network technicians.

Student Activities & Sports Programs

Coaching staff for all sports; referees; field trips; transportation for musical performances and games, etc.

Transportation
Additional bus drivers for more stops; bus replacement and maintenance; staff safety training.

Building Maintenance
School custodians; landscaping and grounds maintenance; building supplies; routine repair of school utilities and operations.

Equipment Replacement
Elementary and secondary musical equipment and performing arts support; health and fitness equipment for students; science equipment for secondary schools; classroom furniture replacement .

 

Levy Facts

  • The District listened to the concerns of the community and the renewal collection amount for the 2011 calendar year is exactly the same as the 2010 collection amount; 2012 and 2013 increase is 1%, and 2014 increases by 2%.
  • The renewal rate for each year is estimated at $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which is lower than estimated for the previous 2006-2010 levy at $2.75 per $1,000.
  • Should the economy not recover as fast as expected, excess levy collections are returned to the taxpayer.
  • This levy is a renewal of the community commitment to good schools. The Bremerton School District has won numerous awards for innovative programs by investing local levy dollars in programs that improve student achievement.
  • The levy dollars provide 20.6% of all the overall revenues received by the District.
  • The District spends 82% of it’s revenues on employee costs to support student learning at all levels.

 

What is a replacement school support levy?

Local school levy dollars help make up the difference between what the State funds and what it actually costs to educate students in Bremerton. The School Support Levy is not a new tax, but voters must renew the levy for current funding to continue.

  • Currently, local levy and levy equalization fund 20.6% of the District’s overall budget.
  • With the passage of the levy, the District would be eligible for additional State levy equalization funds to help areas that have above average property tax rates due to lower than average (statewide) assessed valuations.
Collection Year
Levy Amount
2011
$10,561,000
2012
$10,670,000
2013
$10,777,000
2014
$10,992,000

If my property increases in value, will my taxes go up?

  • In school levy elections, voters approve a set amount, not a collection rate.
  • Just because your property values go up, does not necessarily mean your taxes will.
  • In fact, individual tax bills could go down as more people and businesses move into Bremerton or as assessments change.

What will the levy cost me?

In a school levy election, voters approve a collection amount, not a rate. The following chart is offered only as a guide for what taxpayers could expect to pay if the levy passes. The figures are based on an estimated tax rate of $2.50 per thousand of assessed property value.

You Home's Value
Your Estimated Tax in 2010/11
$100,000
$250.00
$150,000
$375.00
$200,000
$500.00
$250,000
$625.00

Tax Relief for Seniors and Disabled

Citizens who are at least 61 years or older and with an annual income less than $35,000, may be eligible for a tax exemption from all or part of this levy. Disabled residents, regardless of age, may also qualify for this exemption. To apply, call the Kitsap County Assessor’s Office at 337-4904.

Under the Senior Tax Exchange Program through Bremerton School District, senior citizens can receive up to $599 off their property taxes by volunteering in our schools. For more information or an application, please contact Patty Glaser, Community Services Coordinator at (360) 473-1003. Learn more about the Senior Tax Exchange Program.