North Kitsap School District upgrades garner community support at meeting

POULSBO — From turfing North Kitsap High School Stadium and improving Strawberry Field to replacing the roof at Wolfle Elementary, community members attending the April 12 North Kitsap School Board meeting were unwavering in their support.

The public hearing on the issues drew a small crowd as the NKSD board considers using capital projects funds to support the projects, which were not identified in the original resolution passed Jan. 23, 2001.

School board members are expected to vote on these issues during their April 26 meeting. If the board approves the use of capital projects funds, work could begin in earnest in the near future.

“We would anticipate starting work when school is out for the summer,” said NKSD executive director of finance and operations Nancy Moffat. “We should have a resolution ready for the board at our next meeting.”

Kitsap Public Facilities District chair Linda Berry-Maraist said she hopes the district will make its decision sooner rather than later.

“I am concerned about the timeline,” she told the board. “At this point in time we don’t have a user agreement. I feel we need to accelerate the schedule and push up the pace. We’re getting at a point where we’re going to have to make a decision. We need to speed it up. It’s going too slow.”

Kingston Junior High PTA president Ginny Bell also voiced her support for upgrading athletic facilities in the North Kitsap area.

“This community has so much potential and is on the verge of realizing that potential,” Bell said. “I think it’s a clean way to develop our community. It’s a positive activity for youth and that’s so important. I am for all of the improvements we can afford to make.”

Bell said she believes installing field-turf in the stadium would be a wise investment.

“It doesn’t wear out. During the winter most of the fields are closed and the kids don’t have a place to practice,” she said. “Installing turf would maximize the resource. It could really be used at all hours into the evening. Having opportunities for students who are active is a wise investment.”

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