CKSD has stirred up some controversy by announcing that the district may take over a local property. Over the last year, the Central Kitsap School District has determined plans for a new CKHS and CKMS combined campus. They started out with nine plans and, over a period of selection and discussion, narrowed it down to one which requires the use of property the District does not own.

It was decided that this specific plan is structured in a way that would be most cost effective and take best advantage of the lay of the land, unlike many of the other plans. The owners of the property, Rick and Veniza Seward, are not willing to sell for the price being offered, however, so the district may use eminent domain to take the property.

According to the Municipal Research and Services Center, an organization that works with the Washington state government, “Under long-standing case law, for a proposed condemnation to be determined by a court to be lawful, the condemning authority must prove that: (1) the use is really public; (2) the public interest requires it; and (3) the property appropriated is necessary for that purpose.”

The CKSD Board of Directors have unanimously agreed that should the family not sell their property, the district will acquire it through eminent domain. Local government can seize the land as long as it is deemed necessary for the county.

The Sewards are not keen to lose their home of nearly 17 years and the space for their senior care living home. Their home has been made accessible for disabled persons. The Sewards have upgraded the property in order to make it a safer environment. These upgrades would be difficult to replace.

While the district has offered the Sewards a large sum of money, they aren’t able to replace the time and effort it took the Sewards to create their home and business. The district has offered to help the Sewards find a home and upgrade it to the set standards. As of yet, the Sewards have not accepted said offer.