David McVicker, assistant superintendent, business and operations, will take over as the interim. The board made a motion to approve McVicker as the interim superintendent until June 30, 2015.

“This is a terrific district and community, and I’ve enjoyed my time here,” Bauman was quoted as saying in a district press release.”We’ve got some great initiatives underway, and I’d been looking forward to leading this work through next June. Unfortunately, my health will not allow me to continue. I would just ask for privacy for myself and my family during this time.”

Bauman was not present during the special session.

During the meeting, the CKSD school board members went into executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding Bauman’s letter she turned in on Monday regarding her resignation.

Her letter reads as follows:

“Dear Chairman Gaines and Members of the Board:

Due to unforeseen circumstances involved my physical health, and with deep regret, I am resigning my position as superintendent of the Central Kitsap School District. I request you accept my resignation effective June 30, 2014. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of such a great organization and to help serve the needs of the students, staff, and community.”

It was after the second executive session that the single internal candidate, McVicker, was considered for the interim position. McVicker’s been with the district since 1987 where he started as Brownsville Elementary’s principal.

“I am as disappointed as the board is,” said McVicker of Bauman’s resignation. “Not only did Hazel begin to get us in the direction that we needed to go, but I learned a lot from her. I’m also honored to be able to take on this position in the district.”

After coming out of the first executive session, CKSD Board President Mark Gaines read Bauman’s  letter to the board and small audience regarding her resignation.

“I’m trying not to get emotional here,” Gaines said, choking up.

Other board members offered well wishes and their disappointment to hear of Bauman’s resignation.

“We’ve benefitted greatly from her energy,” said Jeanie Schulze, CKSD board member.

Schulze noted that Bauman was able to throughly relate and understand the roles of teachers and administrators throughout the district.

Board member Chris Stokke echoed Schulze’s comments.

“She’s done a great job since she’s been here,” Stokke said. “She feels horrible for sending her resignation down. We’ve got a lot to thank her for.”

Stokke said he saw Bauman on Monday when she delivered the news to him, and she looked “weary” and had lost weight.

“This hurts,” said Eric Greene, board member. “She does need to get better. She needs to put herself first at this particular time. I just hope that she gets better and that we pick up and carry on in the direction that she got us pointed in her short time here.”

Bauman is noted for taking part in the decision to move the ninth grade students up to the high schools beginning next year. She also is credited with “a renewed focus on teaching and learning and progress toward a literacy adoption,” states the district’s press release.

The superintendent started last May, and she came to the district with nearly 40 years in education, the last 29 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she was superintendent for the previous five years.