PORT ORCHARD, Wash. — The superintendent of the North Kitsap School District avoided facing charges in her election sign tampering case by agreeing to pre-trial diversion with the court.
Dr. Laurynn Evans was allegedly caught on surveillance footage and observed by witnesses stealing signs that urged voters to oppose a school district bond worth millions of dollars. The bond, which failed during a February special election, would have paid for improvements and renovations to many of the schools in the district. Evans told police it was not her that was caught on camera and alleged that she had been set up. After the allegations came to light, the school board placed her on paid administrative leave.
Evans faced one charge of defacing or removing a political sign. She entered a not-guilty plea in court on Wednesday.
The diversion agreement stipulates that probation services will monitor Evans for six months, she will make a restitution payment of $332 to the owner of the sign that she allegedly removed and must not break the law during the probation period.
A Kitsap County District Court judge cautioned Evans that if she violates the agreement, a judge will decide solely based on probable cause documents whether she is guilty of the charge she faces. He warned her that in that event, she would likely be convicted.
“This is a serious charge,” Judge Jeffrey Jahns told Evans Wednesday. “It involves, allegedly, election interference by a public official. If you violate this agreement, it is likely you will serve some jail time.”
Evans’ defense lawyer said it was in the best interests of his client, the school district and parents and students of North Kitsap to put the incident behind them.
However, parents and students who showed up to the court hearing said they hoped this incident would be a catalyst for the North Kitsap School Board to move in a different direction, saying Evans’ leadership has been lacking in several different areas.
Danielle Rueb Castillejo, who has children attending school in the district, cited Evans’ attempt to cut a graduation ceremony specifically celebrating Native American students over budget constraints – a move that drew outcry from the community and was later reversed.
Multiple people also took issue with the district’s decision to leave Suquamish Elementary, located on Suquamish Tribe land, off the school bond despite it being an older facility that still utilizes portables.
Rueb Castillejo called on Evans to resign instead of trying to return to her position.
“I think they should give our community a fresh start, a chance to heal, a chance to put a bond on the ballot that all of our community members can support, a way for all students to have access to equity in education,” she said. “I don’t think that’s going to happen if Evans stays.”
Laila McNamara, a senior at Kingston High School, also showed up at Evans’ hearing on Wednesday.
“I feel like there’s not a lot of accountability and there’s not a lot of trust,” McNamara said. “I think she’s lost the community’s trust. I think she’s losing the students’ trust.”
McNamara said she appreciated the way the North Kitsap School Board has handled the incident so far but urged them to remove Evans from her position.
“I think keeping Laurynn Evans as our superintendent would be a step in the wrong direction,” McNamara said.