The North Kitsap school board voted at its March 21 meeting to name Rachel Davenport as interim superintendent through June of 2025.

Davenport, who was previously executive director of human resources, had been serving as acting superintendent since Laurynn Evans was placed on paid administrative leave through June 30 following the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office filing a misdemeanor charge against her Feb. 21 for removing or defacing political advertising regarding her alleged involvement in the theft, damage and displacing of campaign signs that were opposed to the district’s recently failed bond measure.

Evans is resigning effective June 30. The criminal case against Evans may be dismissed in August after the judge in a Feb. 28 county District Court hearing approved a six-month pretrial diversion agreement between the state and defense counsel.

“I am honored to be leading the district and guiding the critical educational work we are doing for our students,” Davenport said in a statement. “It is my hope…our community can begin to recalibrate our collective focus on student-centered priorities in the district.

“I understand there is work to be done and the opportunity to more intentionally engage with our community on important issues impacting students, families and schools. I deeply value collaboration, transparency and building trusting relationships for the benefit of our students and our future. I look forward to connecting with families with these values in mind.”