Three weeks ago, several members of our community discovered a common goal and a common purpose. We came together from all ages, all walks of life, parents and community members, an equal amount of men and women. We put aside all of our personal inconveniences, reorganized our time and united to become a voice for those who could not speak, or would not speak because they were afraid to do so. We formed Bremerton Community 4 Kids.

The saga with Dr. Hyde and how it played out was a tragedy for this community. Dr. Hyde’s decision to step aside did calm the situation, but our work as a group and as a community is still not complete. We honestly and truly want to take part in implementing and contributing to a successful education system. We want to be included on the committees to search for a new superintendent. A couple of us have already applied to the district for selection.

With that said, we are outraged by the comments and tone from Mr. Boyd and Mr. Jones. The implication that because we have openly and publicly disagreed with the school board over the matter of Dr. Hyde, we somehow jeopardized the district’s ability to find quality candidates is akin to shooting the messenger and is completely inappropriate and unacceptable.

Mr. Boyd and Mr. Jones have shown that instead of trying to internally learn from their own missteps and faulty decision-making, and placing the blame where blame belongs, they have instead chosen to turn the blame toward the public.

We understand they are trying to silence us. They want us to go away. For example, President Galloway made that painfully clear after we had reminded her of Bremerton School Board Policy 1430 during the Open Public Comment session at the beginning of the Jan. 22 meeting. That policy provides for public comments on action items. By not allowing public comments on the subsequent action items, she violated the policy that she is in place to uphold. That is unacceptable.

To the citizens of the Bremerton School District: Be a voice in your community either in a group, or on your own. It doesn’t matter! Just get involved. Three weeks ago, individually, many of us were beyond frustration and felt we could not have an impact or make a difference. We were wrong to think that. We have proven that together we can be a voice and we can have a positive impact on the education of our children.

COLLEEN SMIDT

Representative, Bremerton Community 4 Kids