Diversion agreement reached for NK superintendent

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Editor’s note: Laurynn Evans later agreed to a diversion agreement that led to the misdemeanor charge being dropped.

The criminal case brought against North Kitsap School District superintendent Laurynn Evans may be dismissed in August after the judge in a Feb. 28 Kitsap County District Court hearing approved a six-month pretrial diversion agreement between the state and defense counsel.

The Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office filed a misdemeanor charge for removing or defacing political advertising against Evans Feb. 21 for her alleged involvement in the theft, damage and displacing of campaign signs against the district’s recently failed bond measure. Prior to the filing of the charge, the school board placed Evans on paid administrative leave.

Evans appeared before Judge Jeffrey Jahns in a court hearing attended by bond committee members, parents and even former and current students, many of whom had spoken out at February’s board meetings regarding the superintendent’s alleged conduct.

If followed by Evans, the diversion agreement would result in the dismissal of the case no sooner than Aug. 30. Evans’ legal counsel, Tim Kelly, told the judge: “It’s certainly in Ms. Evans’ best interests, in the best interests of the NKSD, the best interests of the opponents of the campaign for the bond and most importantly, it’s in the best interests of all the parents and children of the NKSD. Let’s all move forward.”

Provisions of the agreement as read in the courtroom include monitoring Evans by probation services and payment for such via a $60 fee, a restitution payment of $332 to Scott Henden, complete compliance with court orders and the law, and a no-contact order with Henden or Kim Gerlach with the exception of NKSD school board meetings. Henden and Gerlach reported the stolen signs.

Any violations would likely result in a review and an ultimate conviction of Evans, Jahns said. “It is very likely that if a judge were to review those that you would be found guilty of the offense,” he said, “and while I recognize that there is no prior history of which the court is aware, I do want to say that this is a serious charge. If you violate this agreement, it is likely you would serve some jail time.”

The reactions of those in attendance were mixed, ranging from satisfied with the negative exposure of Evans to furious and embarrassed with the slap on the wrist feel of the diversion agreement.

Evans refused to comment after the hearing, but NKSD provided a statement. “Separate from the legal proceedings, (NKSD) is conducting its own investigation into allegations against Dr. Evans. Because this is a personnel matter, the district must be careful not to undermine the ongoing investigation.

“We hear and are taking stock of feedback from our community,” the statement goes on to say. “The district is actively engaged in measures to address and resolve this challenging situation as soon as possible while maintaining fiscal responsibility for the district and keeping the school community at the heart of all decisions.”