Dear parents and community members.

Great news about the Kent Schools!

       We have great news to share about the Kent City Schools.  In order to keep our students safe and make needed improvements to all our schools, the Kent Board of Education is putting a No New Tax Bond issue on the March 17, 2020 ballot.  The bond issue would NOT raise taxes.

What you need to know about the “No New Tax” Bond Issue

• Kent Schools “No New Tax” Bond Issue will NOT raise taxes for homeowners but will keep students safe and maintain our community’s investment in our schools. The issue appears on the March 17, 2020 ballot.

• Bonds issued over 20 years ago to construct Stanton Middle School and renovate Roosevelt High School and Davey Elementary are maturing. Kent Schools is taking advantage of this opportunity to make needed improvements to all of our schools at NO new cost to our taxpayers.

• Click here to view a PowerPoint with more details about the “No New Tax” Bond Issue.

• Frequently asked questions about the Bond issue

• A comprehensive list of identified projects

Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent  
I want to share more details about the “No New Tax” Bond Issue, which will appear on the March 17, 2020 ballot at my upcoming “Coffee and Conversation” gatherings.  Please join Superintendent George Joseph:

• Wednesday, February 26, at 6 p.m. in the Woodward Room, 2nd floor of the Kent Free Library.      

You can also come to a presentation about this No New Tax Bond Issue on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. from January through March, 2020.  Please go here to sign up to attend one of the meetings.

Informational videos:

Here are videos on our YouTube page discussing how this bond issue could benefit our school district:

Security and Lighting – George Joseph, Superintendent

Air Conditioning – Jim Soyars, Director of Business Services

Auditorium – Dr. John Roebke, Instrumental Music Teacher

Gymnasium – Tom Larkin, Asst. Superintendent

Stadium – Tom Larkin, Asst. Superintendent

No New Tax Bond Issue timeline:
     The Kent Board of Education authorized a Resolution of Necessity for the Bond Issue at our BOE Meeting on September 17, 2019.  Then,  our Board of Education  authorized a Resolution to Proceed at our October 15, 2019 Board Meeting.  This will place the No New Tax Bond Issue on the March 17, 2020 primary ballot.   

     Representatives of ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) and Hammond Construction, provided recommendations and cost estimates to the Board of Education.  Both firms have extensive experience in school-related renovation projects.

            The community’s support for improvements in safety and security across the district, as well as upgrades in school buildings, was evident in the results of recent surveys and focus groups.  Community members were asked for feedback on a number of issues, as part of the district’s new five-year Strategic Plan.  Kent residents made it clear that they saw the immediate necessity to keep students safe and maintain the community’s investment in the schools.