Peninsula School District seeks voter approval for replacement levy on Feb. 10; local group urges early votes

The Peninsula School District outlined a replacement educational programs and operations levy that will appear on the Feb. 10 ballot and asked Gig Harbor residents to review a detailed spending plan posted on the district website.

Luke Grundberg, principal of Key Peninsula Middle School, told the council the three-year levy would replace an expiring levy and funds programs not fully covered by the state. "This 3 year levy will replace our expiring levy and is critical to maintaining the quality education that our kiddos deserve," Grundberg said. He said the levy represents about 17% of the district's budget and estimated the levy rate at $1.30 per $1,000 of assessed value; combined with the district's safety, security and technology levy and a 2019 bond, the total local school tax rate is estimated at $1.99 per $1,000.

A council member asked where residents could see the levy spending plan; district staff responded that a detailed plan with more than 50 subcategories and proposed dollar values is available on the Peninsula School District website.

During the meeting's public-comment period, Jonathan Appleton, who identified himself as president of the volunteer group Stand Up for Peninsula Schools, urged residents to "please vote yes before February 10" and described local volunteer and sign-waving opportunities and donation requests to support the levy effort. Appleton said the levy affects more than 8,000 students in the district and asked residents to help reach voters who may not have direct connections to the schools.

The presentation and public comments were informational; no council action on the levy was taken at the meeting.