I am very optimistic about the new superintendent selected for the North Kitsap School District.

Dr. Laurynn Evans has described herself as a “servant leader” who has ties to our community and has said she doesn’t plan on micromanaging. She has also acknowledged the need to heal tensions between the district and teachers, parents and community members. Tensions came to a head last year with a vote of “no confidence” in Superintendent Patty Page by the teachers union and a public petition of “no confidence,” which received almost 500 signatures.

Hiring a new superintendent, however, is only the first step in healing tensions. We must demand that the school board manage future superintendents with the trustees’ interests in mind and pay heed to parent, teacher and student concerns without allowing their personal opinions to cloud their judgement.

In 2015, the board, as part of Page’s evaluation, stated: “You are a great leader. Keep it up. Your energy makes a big difference in running the school district.” This sentiment is a far cry from the May 24, 2016 vote, where 312 out of 323 NKSD teachers voted “no confidence” in Superintendent Page.

The school board unfortunately has not represented the concerns of many of the parents and teachers in this district. Now is the time for them to do so.

Brooke Hammett

Poulsbo