Jeff Graham
Kitsap Sun
Published 10:49 am March 25,2025
Leaders, students for West Sound Tech recently traveled to Olympia to seek legislative support for the two-phased project.
West Sound Technical Skills Center Director Ryan Nickels and a handful of students recently traveled to Olympia to meet with representatives from Kitsap's legislative delegation in an effort to lobby for state funding for completion of the Bremerton center's two-phase improvement and modernization project.
West Sound Tech previously received nearly $53 million in state funding for the first phase of the project, which is slated to conclude later this year. Nickels and project team leaders were relying on a second-phase funding request — totaling $54,059,947 — to be included in the 2025-2027 legislative budget. That funding is in jeopardy due to the state's projected budget shortfall.
Heading into next month's budget deadline, there is no funding currently allocated for the second phase of the project. Last Friday, Nickels, five West Sound Tech students and several project leaders visited with the offices of 23rd District Sen. Drew Hansen and Rep. Greg Nance, 26th District leaders Sen. Deb Krishnadasan and Rep. Adison Richards, and Sen. Drew McEwen and Rep. Dan Griffey from the 35th District to make their case for securing project funding.
"We don't want to be one of these state projects that's left halfway undone," said Nickels, whose center offers advanced career and technical programming for students ages 16-21 (grades 11-12) representing 10 school districts across Kitsap, Mason, Pierce and Jefferson counties. "That just doesn't seem to be good business."
Things are only going to get more expensive'
Securing capital project funding hasn't been an issue for West Sound Tech in recent history. For the current project, the state allocated $500,000 during the 2019-21 biennial capital budget, $10.9 million during the 2022 supplemental capital budget, and $41.3 million during the 2023-25 biennial capital budget. Those funds helped pave the way for the new two-story, 50,000-square foot building currently being built on the southeast portion of campus off National Avenue on the city's west side.
A majority of the funding for the second phase of the project is being targeted for modernizing West Sound Tech's original building, which opened in 1977 on the northeast corner of the campus. Upgrades to that building would include updating shop spaces for existing programs (fire science, criminal justice, multicraft, automotive, collision repair, HVAC) and creation of additional spaces (maritime, diesel). Nickels said the original building also requires some non-negotiable structural and safety upgrades, as well as a new HVAC system.
In terms of trying to secure second-phase funding for the 2025-27 biennium, Nickels said the feedback he and others from the project team are currently receiving from folks in Olympia is that the state is highly unlikely to cover the full funding request of $54,059,947. The best-case scenario might be West Sound Tech reducing its request by 15%, which would bring the total down to roughly $46 million.
On the other end of the spectrum, if West Sound Tech receives zero or minimal funding dollars, Nickels said the second phase of the project would pause. The original building would have to be "buttoned up" and exist in a holding pattern — at least until 2027 when the state's next biennium budget cycle begins and lawmakers could revisit project funding requests.
There would be question marks: Would existing permits, which Nickels said cost West Sound Tech roughly $10 million to secure, still be honored down the road? What about ever-rising cost of construction and materials? Could a project slated to run $50 million now be closer to $100 million two or three years down the line?
"Things are only getting more expensive," Nickels said. "We're kind of stressed about that."
Project supported by school superintendents, legislators
At full capacity, West Sound Tech can support an enrollment of 600 students (the center has 535 students enrolled this year due to some learning spaces being closed during construction. Nickels said enrollment capacity could climb as high as 1,000 students should both phases of the construction project come to fruition.
Having received 800 applications from prospective students hoping to enroll for the 2025-26 school year, Nickels believes it's critical for West Sound Tech to not be stuck playing the project waiting game. That's one reason he and others are seeking support from local educational leaders and state lawmakers ahead of April 27, when the legislative session is scheduled to end.
Aaron Leavell, superintendent of the Olympic Educational Service District, helped author a letter delivered to state legislators on Monday. The letter, which requested that the state follow through on West Sound Tech's funding request, was signed by nine school district superintendents, including Bremerton's Donna Colosky, Central Kitsap's Erin Prince, South Kitsap's Tim Winter, North Kitsap's Rachel Davenport, North Mason's Dana Rosenbach and Bainbridge Island's Amii Thompson.
"The West Sound Technical Skills Center is a cornerstone of our community, offering students invaluable technical training in industries that are critical to our region’s economy," the letter said. "This modernization project is not just about updating a building; it’s about ensuring that we are preparing students for the high-demand careers that will drive our workforce and economy forward."
Among those legislators who told the Kitsap Sun that they'll be advocating on West Sound Tech's behalf over the next month are Nance and 26th District Rep. Michelle Caldier.
"For generations, West Sound Tech has helped young people find their path while building the skills to launch fulfilling careers," Nance said in a written statement to the Kitsap Sun. "The skill center changes lives and has been a massive boost for our local economy. We have a historic opportunity to invest in West Sound Tech's modernization to equip every student with the tools and training they need to thrive in 21st century careers including advanced manufacturing, maritime, welding, early learning, and healthcare professions. I'm proud to work alongside colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, to support West Sound Tech."
In a phone interview Monday with the Kitsap Sun, Caldier said she believes K-12 education is a "paramount duty" of the state and has been speaking with colleagues in hopes of getting West Sound Tech project funding added to the house of representative's capital budget. That dialogue will continue into next month.
"Everything is in flux," said Caldier, noting that partial funding is likely the most favorable outcome based on the feedback she's receiving.
As someone who attended West Sound Tech during high school and is a member of the West Sound Tech Advisory Board and West Sound Tech Foundation, Caldier will continue to advocate on the center's behalf.
"I would hope that West Sound Tech knows that they have my full support," she said.