From the Helm: Levy passage a step toward healing

The overwhelmingly positive voting numbers for renewal of the Peninsula School District’s Continuing Educational Programs & Operations levy came as a breath of fresh air for many involved in the campaign.

Going into the election, some thought getting 70 percent of the vote was an unattainable goal. And after the past school board administration’s failed attempt to pass a bond/levy package, there were some who were very nervous this time around.

“We’re excited the community stepped forward ... it’s an amazing vote to get,” board president Rand Wilhelmsen told me. “It’s such a good feeling.”

The ringing approval of this levy perhaps represents some healing in the community from the previous administration’s missteps. This board has clearly learned from past history.

“I think there was some extra scrutiny put on us, and we wanted to make sure all the stakeholders were informed,” Wilhelmsen said.

There were grumblings that in years past the school board hadn’t made an effort to be transparent, and members — and the community as a whole — paid for that with a failed campaign in 2014. But the effort Deborah Krishnadasan and Jacquie Goodwill put forth when it came to getting more voters in the community informed paid off big time. Board members even took it to the point of inviting those in the community who were skeptical about the numbers to sit down with the district’s CFO and go over them.

“We wanted to be very transparent,” board vice president David Olson said. “(This passage) is really a good step in the right direction. The healing has begun.”

This levy got the stamp of approval from former interim board member Jerry Gibbs, who helped craft the details during his three-month tenure. It was important to other board members that Gibbs, a vocal opponent of the previous capital levy, was on board with everything before Krishnadasan and Goodwill took it to the public.

“(The board) did a great job listening to the community,” Gibbs said.

But enough with the celebration. This passage puts the funds in place to cover maintenance and other costs — not the construction of new buildings. And in the long run, that is what this community really needs. But board members stress they are taking things one small step at a time.

“I think the need is there, but it’s premature to think about it now,” Wilhelmsen said of any plans of a future levy.

Yes, it is. But the point here comes back to healing — and the fact that the board has changed how it conducts business.

“The community senses we have a change,” Olson said.

And while there is still hope some clarity comes in regard to funding and the McCleary Decision by the state Legislature, this positive step can be used as a building block toward the future.

“I hope the board will continue to do its due diligence ... not be so emboldened by the win and then make a bad decision,” Gibbs said.

And it is easier for community members to swallow the continuation of taxes versus new taxes.

“There is more work to do before the public will support a tax increase measure,” Gibbs said.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 1:19 PM with the headline "From the Helm: Levy passage a step toward healing."