Kitsap Education

Voters in the Burlington-Edison School District approved an $6.8 million bond measure to alleviate debt accrued by a land purchase completed when Rick Jones (now North Kitsap schools superintendent) was superintendent.

Sixty-five percent of voters cast “yes” votes in an election that, had it gone the other way, could have resulted in the demise of the school district. BESD is saddled with huge payments for land that was inaccurately  priced and purchased – before any bond had been approved to pay for it.

Skagit Valley Herald’s story on the vote. And the paper’s editorial on the vote.

A comprehensive blog post by Skagit Valley Herald reporter Kate Martin with some good background on the matter.

The Bremerton School Board seeks applicants to fill the seat left vacant after Louis Mitchell resigned in mid-February. The new board member will fill out Mitchell’s term through the end of 2011. All the information about the application is available at http://bremertonschools.org/.

Back when Mitchell first resigned I asked board watchers Colleen Smidt and Dave Rubie if they would apply. At that time, both said no.

Applications close at 4:30 p.m. on March 31. The board plans to fill the vacancy at its April 22 meeting.

In his recent resignation letter, former Bremerton School Board member Louis Mitchell wrote somewhat cryptically about why he left. He wrote about the importance of upholding the fidelity of office and “conducting one’s self beyond legal reproach.” In his only “on the record” statement about why he resigned, Mitchell explained that his letter was directed more toward his fellow board members than the public. It seemed as if he wanted to admonish other board members for their conduct.

On Thursday night, three board members responded. President Dave Boynton and members Carolynn Perkins and Scott Rahm were present for the meeting; Vicki Collins was absent. Mitchell did not attend.

When Boynton announced Mitchell’s resignation, he called his former colleague a “special person” for serving more than 10 years as a volunteer in education. “A community is lucky to have that  sort of person,” he added. Boynton said he hated to see Mitchell move on, and that he wished him the best of luck.

Perkins said the resignation made her very sad. She said Mitchell was a valuable source of information. “His integrity was above reproach.”

Rahm said Mitchell took his school board position very seriously, making tough choices and standing behind them. Mitchell will serve as a role model for the current board members, said Rahm.

At the end of the meeting, during the board members “reflection time,” both Rahm and Perkins mentioned moving forward positivelyto face tough choices, especially in regard to the budget.

It will be interesting to see who is chosen to replace Mitchell on the board. The board will accept applications for the position and go through an interview process. Boynton said he hoped the new member could be appointed before tough budget talks begin in April.  The new member will serve out Mitchell’s term through 2011.

Notably, former school board candidate Dave Rubie sat in the front row and watched the proceedings Thursday night. He’s a frequent audience member and was also a major player in the recent school support levy campaign.

I’m beginning this week to work on stories about the local school districts running school support levies on the Feb. 9 ballot. Central Kitsap, North Kitsap, Bremerton and Bainbridge will seek voter approval for these measures. As I read this morning in the Tacoma News Tribune, lots of districts in the region will be seeking the same thing that day. It’s interesting to read about the districts that are trying to pass capital bonds and levies right now too. I would think it would be rough-going with the economy the way it is. CK leaders decided against running a capital levy in this election, as detailed in this story and this story.

 I wonder if they still believe that was a good decision?

The Bremerton School Board voted unanimously tonight to name the Bremerton High School gym after Coach Les Eathorne and the court after Coach Ken Wills. A group of former players will raise about $6,000 to paint the gym floor, put up some plaques and erect some lettering on the building. The group of players was pretty enthusiastic after the meeting and were heading over to Eathorne’s house to tell him the good news.
There was some concern (though I’ve only heard it indirectly) about naming the court after Wills because the beloved coach killed himself in 1962. I guess folks were worried that honoring someone who committed suicide might send the wrong message to kids? But that didn’t come up at the board meeting. I talked with new board member Dave Boynton about it on Wednesday and said he was not concerned about that issue. With all that we know today about mental illness today, it’s easier to understand what occurred, he said.

In other school board news (Thursday is a busy school board night with North Kitsap, Bremerton and North Mason meeting at the same time) new school board leaders were elected. I will have to catch up with North Mason tomorrow. It’s getting too late to call now. But I do know that in NK, Tom Anderson retained his position as president; Val Torrens is VP. In Bremerton, Boynton is the new president and Carolynn Perkins is VP. On Wednesday, Central Kitsap School Board members elected Chris Stokke president and Eric Greene VP.

Three members of the Central Kitsap School Board will be sworn in tonight. Bruce Richards, Eric Greene return to the board, representing District 1 and District 5, respectively. Mark Gaines will be the board’s newest member, taking over Carl Johnson’s spot representing District 2. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the district offices, 9210 Silverdale Way.

We’re also awaiting certification of other elections today, including the race between Dave Boynton and Cynthia Galloway in the Bremerton School District. Galloway has indicated she will make a statement after the race is certified today. Boynton and the board’s two other new members, Carolynn Perkins and Scott Rahm, will be sworn in on Dec. 10.

Dave Boynton remains 100 votes ahead of Bremerton School Board member Cynthia Galloway in the race for position #4. The Kitsap County Auditor’s Office released yet another count of the ballots on Thursday.

Galloway indicated Thursday that she would make a statement on the election on Nov. 24, when the count is certified.

In the Bremerton School District Board race for Position #4, David Boynton has now pulled out ahead of incumbent Cynthia Galloway by 110 votes. Boynton has 50.32 percent of the vote to Galloway’s 49.07.  On Bainbridge, the school district bond gained more votes. It’s approval rate is now at 61.36 percent.

Yet another count is set for Monday at 5 p.m. There are 900 ballots left to count in the county, according to the Kitsap County Auditor’s Office.

After the ballot count on Thursday, challenger David Boynton increased his lead over incumbent Cynthia Galloway in the race for Position #4 on the Bremerton School Board. Boynton now has 50.2 percent of the vote to Galloway’s 49.2. That’s 81 votes.

 In other school news, the Bainbridge Island School District’s capital bond is now passing with 61.38  percent of the vote. Sounds like good news for BI school supporters who want to use $32 million of the $42 million bond to rebuild Wilkes Elementary.

The North Mason School District needs applicants for the open position representing District 2.
The applicant chosen will serve through the winter of 2011. Qualifications include residing within the boundaries of District 2 (Union River south to Belfair-Tahuya Rd. including Lynch Cove, Beards Cove and View Ridge Hts.- map and legal description available upon request) and registered to vote in NMSD. To be considered, applicants must submit a letter of interest to include contact information, a brief biographical sketch and a statement about your interest in being a board member. Letters of interest will be accepted at the District Office, 71 E Campus Dr., Belfair, WA 98528. Please call the District Administration Office at (360) 277-2300 for more information.