Sunday, February 8, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Balancing Needs for Kids and Taxpayers...
Below is a link to SKSD’s line item description of where every levy dollar will go:
Very few school districts go to the detail that SKSD does to show where levy dollars will be spent. In fact of the 279 school districts across the state who have levies, 53 of those districts request the maximum allowed by law (generally 24%, though 44 districts are grandfathered into higher limits). Locally, districts who are “maxed out” include Bremerton, North Kitsap, and Bainbridge Island. South Kitsap takes a more conservative approach, attempting to balance the needs of our students with the needs of our taxpayers. The state wide average is 23.2%. South Kitsap’s average is 20.27%. That will go up to about 21% when the 2009 levy passes (still significantly below the state average).
Of those 279 school districts with outstanding levies (maintenance and bond levies), South Kitsap ranks 231st in total tax rate (1.90 per 1000 in valuation). When the 2009 levy passes, we will move up to 213th (2.27). The state average is 3.15.
If you would like to see a great Powerpoint presentation about the levy, try this link:
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
SKSD LEVY DESERVES YOUR "YES" for KIDS!
Why support the levy?
In 1999, SKHS’s graduation rate was less than 77%. Today it is more than 92%. What does that mean to our community? It means that 15 more students out of every 100 are graduating from high school than were doing so when our levy funding wasn’t stable. WOW!
In 2001, average SKSD 10th grade WASL scores were 58.4% in reading, 37.2% in math, and 48.5% in writing. In 2008, those averages were 84.1% in reading, 53.4% in math, and 87.9% in writing. These strong gains were possible because levy funds provide opportunities for improved curriculum adoptions, technology that facilitates differentiated instruction for students, and extended learning opportunities (amongst other things)!
Eight years ago, SKSD had one of the oldest fleet of school busses in the state. Many were past their depreciation point which made the district ineligible for state funds to replace busses. Thanks to stable levy funding for the past 8 years, we have been able to improve the fleet and are now eligible for state funds that allow us to regularly replace aging busses.
Eight years ago, our secondary music program was nearly non-existant. Extra-curricular programs like athletics, band, and theatre, were stripped to the bare bones. Thanks to stable levy funding, these programs have flourished and infused a sense of belonging, leadership skills, and creativity into our students. These programs have also helped kids stay motivated to stay in school.
As an example of the forward progress, on New Years Day 2010, the SKHS Band has been extended a rather exclusive honor to perform in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. Our choirs and bands are winning awards across the state and across the nation these days. Students take pride in marching with the SKHS Band and singing with the choirs.
Strong academics and challenging extra-curricular programs are building leaders in our schools. In fact, in 2008, TWO of our students were accepted into the United States Naval Academy.
Yes, levy funding is making a difference in the lives of South Kitsap students, the quality of their education, and the strength of our South Kitsap Community!
In 1999, SKHS’s graduation rate was less than 77%. Today it is more than 92%. What does that mean to our community? It means that 15 more students out of every 100 are graduating from high school than were doing so when our levy funding wasn’t stable. WOW!
In 2001, average SKSD 10th grade WASL scores were 58.4% in reading, 37.2% in math, and 48.5% in writing. In 2008, those averages were 84.1% in reading, 53.4% in math, and 87.9% in writing. These strong gains were possible because levy funds provide opportunities for improved curriculum adoptions, technology that facilitates differentiated instruction for students, and extended learning opportunities (amongst other things)!
Eight years ago, SKSD had one of the oldest fleet of school busses in the state. Many were past their depreciation point which made the district ineligible for state funds to replace busses. Thanks to stable levy funding for the past 8 years, we have been able to improve the fleet and are now eligible for state funds that allow us to regularly replace aging busses.
Eight years ago, our secondary music program was nearly non-existant. Extra-curricular programs like athletics, band, and theatre, were stripped to the bare bones. Thanks to stable levy funding, these programs have flourished and infused a sense of belonging, leadership skills, and creativity into our students. These programs have also helped kids stay motivated to stay in school.
As an example of the forward progress, on New Years Day 2010, the SKHS Band has been extended a rather exclusive honor to perform in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. Our choirs and bands are winning awards across the state and across the nation these days. Students take pride in marching with the SKHS Band and singing with the choirs.
Strong academics and challenging extra-curricular programs are building leaders in our schools. In fact, in 2008, TWO of our students were accepted into the United States Naval Academy.
Yes, levy funding is making a difference in the lives of South Kitsap students, the quality of their education, and the strength of our South Kitsap Community!
Please vote YES for the levy!
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Pinched Nerves
In December, I began experiencing the pain of a pinched nerve in my back for the first time. When it was intense, it consumed my attention. Now that I'm feeling better, I have been thinking about lessons learned from the experience...
First, someone can be in pain and others around them may not notice. It can be good to be tough, but pain makes one edgy and if people don't see the problem they may think that your edginess is because of them and not realize that you are wincing at something other than them.
Second, a pain in one area can completely mask the pain in another area. While the pinched nerve was intense, it sometimes made me forget all about the chronic pain I have had for six years in my left shoulder (due to an injury). It made me think about how this also happens with people and with organizations at times. Our state revenue problems are very real. But the current crisis is masking long held problems (like our failure to prioritize government spending).
Third, pain can lead one to desperate choices. At first I told the doctor that I didn't want strong drugs that would interfere with driving, working, or taking care of two kids. That lasted about three days before the doc got a desperate call for something stronger and I made an appointment with a chiropractor. My doctor was kind enough to spare me the "I told you so".
First, someone can be in pain and others around them may not notice. It can be good to be tough, but pain makes one edgy and if people don't see the problem they may think that your edginess is because of them and not realize that you are wincing at something other than them.
Second, a pain in one area can completely mask the pain in another area. While the pinched nerve was intense, it sometimes made me forget all about the chronic pain I have had for six years in my left shoulder (due to an injury). It made me think about how this also happens with people and with organizations at times. Our state revenue problems are very real. But the current crisis is masking long held problems (like our failure to prioritize government spending).
Third, pain can lead one to desperate choices. At first I told the doctor that I didn't want strong drugs that would interfere with driving, working, or taking care of two kids. That lasted about three days before the doc got a desperate call for something stronger and I made an appointment with a chiropractor. My doctor was kind enough to spare me the "I told you so".
Fourth, I have to admit that the experience caused me to wonder whether I am sometimes a pinched nerve to others and how I might be a better team player this coming year. That being said, there are things to learn from pinched nerves.
Which brings me to my final lesson learned. Sometimes life makes one slow down. Instead of fighting it, it can be very healthy to make the most of it. Whether individually or in the case of an organization, we can learn a lot from the things that cause us to slow down and change our perspective a bit.
Happy New Year!
May the new year bring you joy in your journey and the wisdom to gleen perspective in all that you experience.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Real Win...
Slightly modified from a comment I made on another website...
Today we will elect a new President. There will be a winner and a loser in this election. The one who lost will return to his "regular" life as a United States Senator. The one who won will begin preparation for a smooth transition of power.
And therein lies the win for the citizens of the United States of America. Whether it is President-Elect Obama come Wednesday morning or President-Elect McCain, the citizens of the United States of America will still wake to enjoy the freedoms ensured by our Constitution and Bill of Rights; free to declare who they voted for without fear of goon squads arriving at their door, free to teach their children how to respect the office of President of the United States because he was elected and will take power by the will of the people without a single gun fired in the process, free to stand amidst those who voted for either candidate with an extended arm of citizenship and pride because we are all citizens of this great nation.
Of course, we could also wake up on Wednesday morning with hate in our eyes and venom in our tongues. But what good would that serve this nation? What example does that set for the world?
On election day I vote my conscience and respect my fellow Americans to do the same. And on Wednesday, wherever the votes lead, I am grateful to be a citizen of the UNITED States of America.
Today we will elect a new President. There will be a winner and a loser in this election. The one who lost will return to his "regular" life as a United States Senator. The one who won will begin preparation for a smooth transition of power.
And therein lies the win for the citizens of the United States of America. Whether it is President-Elect Obama come Wednesday morning or President-Elect McCain, the citizens of the United States of America will still wake to enjoy the freedoms ensured by our Constitution and Bill of Rights; free to declare who they voted for without fear of goon squads arriving at their door, free to teach their children how to respect the office of President of the United States because he was elected and will take power by the will of the people without a single gun fired in the process, free to stand amidst those who voted for either candidate with an extended arm of citizenship and pride because we are all citizens of this great nation.
Of course, we could also wake up on Wednesday morning with hate in our eyes and venom in our tongues. But what good would that serve this nation? What example does that set for the world?
On election day I vote my conscience and respect my fellow Americans to do the same. And on Wednesday, wherever the votes lead, I am grateful to be a citizen of the UNITED States of America.
Regards of the NW,
Kathryn Simpson
Monday, October 13, 2008
An Open Letter - the "SEED" Project
Port of Bremerton Commissioners,
As assertively and respectfully as possible, I urge the Port of Bremerton Commissioners to refuse the EDD Grant and end the SEED project, unless it can be accomplished without taxpayer subsidy. We are facing extraordinarily harsh economic times that will require the preservation of property tax dollars for the most necessary priorities of government... infrastructure, law and order, and public education.
If you go forward with betting even more taxpayer funds on the SEED “entrepreneurial activity” (as termed by the Berk Report), you risk the good will of the public to vote yes for real quality of life investments like schools and public services.
Current national economic conditions should be teaching us valuable lessons. We cannot afford to continue to speculate with taxpayer dollars. Speculative investment is not a priority of government. Those who want to speculate on “green” jobs can invest their own funds in the form of venture capital. I would encourage the Port to work with private investors to fund the SEED project. However, I object to any further insistence that taxpayers continue as the only investors in this highly speculative project. The Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority tried speculating with the taxpayer's money and we, the taxpayers, lost. Surely you see and understand the parallels.
Our local employers need highly educated high school graduates who have the math, English, and communication skills to grow into a trade or to attend college and return for engineering positions. To attract employees to relocate or remain here, our local employers need to be able to market a high quality of life in Kitsap County, through parks, recreation, and public safety. Every tax dollar that goes towards subsidizing SEED is a tax dollar unavailable for the priorities of government.
Page 45 of the Berk Report is quite clear:
“Establishing an incubator in a location with relatively low levels of immediate research and entrepreneurial activity is a catalytic, market-making venture and so the plan absolutely comes withuncertainties and risks…”
I implore the Port of Bremerton Commissioners to vote NO to further speculative investment of tax dollars in SEED. We have not seen private investment in SEED after three years. We have not seen any commitment of private industry to SEED. It is time to cut our taxpayer losses. We face deficits in the county budget and in the state budget ($3.2 billion and growing). Please give taxpayers some relief and good will. Please focus Port of Bremerton activities on growing jobs that don’t need subsidies from taxpayers.
Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Citizen within the Port District
As assertively and respectfully as possible, I urge the Port of Bremerton Commissioners to refuse the EDD Grant and end the SEED project, unless it can be accomplished without taxpayer subsidy. We are facing extraordinarily harsh economic times that will require the preservation of property tax dollars for the most necessary priorities of government... infrastructure, law and order, and public education.
If you go forward with betting even more taxpayer funds on the SEED “entrepreneurial activity” (as termed by the Berk Report), you risk the good will of the public to vote yes for real quality of life investments like schools and public services.
Current national economic conditions should be teaching us valuable lessons. We cannot afford to continue to speculate with taxpayer dollars. Speculative investment is not a priority of government. Those who want to speculate on “green” jobs can invest their own funds in the form of venture capital. I would encourage the Port to work with private investors to fund the SEED project. However, I object to any further insistence that taxpayers continue as the only investors in this highly speculative project. The Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority tried speculating with the taxpayer's money and we, the taxpayers, lost. Surely you see and understand the parallels.
Our local employers need highly educated high school graduates who have the math, English, and communication skills to grow into a trade or to attend college and return for engineering positions. To attract employees to relocate or remain here, our local employers need to be able to market a high quality of life in Kitsap County, through parks, recreation, and public safety. Every tax dollar that goes towards subsidizing SEED is a tax dollar unavailable for the priorities of government.
Page 45 of the Berk Report is quite clear:
“Establishing an incubator in a location with relatively low levels of immediate research and entrepreneurial activity is a catalytic, market-making venture and so the plan absolutely comes withuncertainties and risks…”
I implore the Port of Bremerton Commissioners to vote NO to further speculative investment of tax dollars in SEED. We have not seen private investment in SEED after three years. We have not seen any commitment of private industry to SEED. It is time to cut our taxpayer losses. We face deficits in the county budget and in the state budget ($3.2 billion and growing). Please give taxpayers some relief and good will. Please focus Port of Bremerton activities on growing jobs that don’t need subsidies from taxpayers.
Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson
Citizen within the Port District
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