2026-2027 Budget Available for Review

Each year by July 10, the North Kitsap School District prepares a proposed budget and makes it available for public review. The preliminary 2026-2027 budget is available at nkschools.org/about-us/departments/business-office or may be requested in paper form through the NKSD Business Office.

North Kitsap School District's financial outlook remains stable, and the proposed budget is balanced through thoughtful planning and responsible stewardship of public resources. The budget reflects successful labor negotiations, strategic staffing decisions, continued stabilization of student enrollment, and ongoing efforts to manage rising costs while maintaining high-quality educational programs for students.

A few key highlights:

• Successful negotiations with the district's employee groups provide stability for staff and students while supporting a balanced budget.
   
• Enrollment is projected to decline slightly but continues to show signs of stabilizing.
   
• Inflation continues to impact district operations, with insurance premiums representing one of the most significant cost increases.
   
• The district continues to manage staffing through attrition, retirements, resignations, and careful review of vacant positions before replacement. This approach has helped reduce expenditures while minimizing impacts to student programs.
   
• The passage of the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy provides critical local funding that supports educational programs and day-to-day operations.
   
• While the Capital Projects Levy was not approved, the district remains committed to maintaining safe, functional schools. However, the lack of capital funding increases the risk that future major maintenance needs may affect the operating budget.
   
• The district will continue advocating for adequate state funding, particularly for special education, Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs (MSOC), and other areas where inflation continues to outpace funding.

Public Budget Hearing

A Public Hearing will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the NKSD Board Room at the Student Support Center (18360 NE Caldart Avenue, Poulsbo) and via virtual meeting. During this meeting, community members are invited to provide input and speak for or against any part of the proposed budget. To do so, please complete the Public Comment Form starting at 4:00pm on July 23, 2026, and indicate that you wish to speak at the Public Hearing on the Budget.

Budget Adoption

The School Board will vote to adopt the 2026-2027 budget during the regularly scheduled board meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the NKSD Board Room at the Student Support Center (18360 NE Caldart Avenue, Poulsbo) and via virtual meeting. The approved budget must be submitted to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Olympia by August 31, 2026.

Throughout the year, the School Board receives regular financial updates, including a series of focused budget development updates during the winter and spring.

Budget Resources and Information

• Budget Hearing Presentation
• F195 Budget Document
• F195 Four Year Projections
• January 2026 - Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Process