North Kitsap school superintendent agrees to diversion in sign-stealing case

PORT ORCHARD — North Kitsap School District Superintendent Laurynn Evans on Wednesday entered into a pretrial diversion agreement while appearing at Kitsap County District Court to face a misdemeanor charge of removing or defacing political advertising.

Under terms of the diversion agreement reached by county deputy prosecutor Anna Fredenberg and Evans' attorney, Tim Kelly, the misdemeanor charge will be dismissed as long as Evans meets certain conditions as explained by Kitsap County District Court Judge Jeffrey Jahns. Those conditions include paying $332 in restitution to cover the cost of the signs and not committing another criminal law violation for six months. Evans also cannot contact Scott Henden or Kim Gerlach, the residents who initially reported the missing signs, with the exception being at a North Kitsap school board meeting.

Henden and Gerlach told law enforcement on Jan. 26 that they witnessed Evans removing signs opposing the school district's February bond measure. The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident and the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office on Feb. 21 charged Evans with the crime.

Diversion agreements are not uncommon for defendants facing first-time misdemeanor charges.

Jahns told Evans if she violates the conditions of the diversion agreement, the court would review the Jan. 26 police report — and only the police report — to determine if she committed the misdemeanor offense, which carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

"It is very likely that if a judge were to review those, you would be found guilty of the offense," Jahns said. "While I recognize that there is no prior history that the court is aware, I want to say that this is a serious change. It involved allegedly election interference by a public official. If you violate this agreement, it is likely you would serve some jail time."

Evans, who denied taking the signs when interviewed by law enforcement on Jan. 26, left the courthouse without offering comment. She is currently on paid administrative leave.

Related: North Kitsap community urges change at school board meeting

Henden and Gerlach were among of small group of North Kitsap citizens who attended Evans' court appearance. Henden opted against offering comment when given the opportunity by Jahns. Gerlach submitted a written statement to the Kitsap Sun in which she thanked Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney Chad Enright's office and the district court for handling the case. Regarding the North Kitsap school board, Gerlach said it's time for the directors to address the "moral aspects" of Evans' actions.

"Currently the North Kitsap School Board and Administration have shown a lack of integrity and accountability," Gerlach wrote. "Students and staff of North Kitsap School District deserve leadership that is accountable and holds high moral standards. Public outcry at the school board meeting last Thursday spoke loud and clear, now is the time for the North Kitsap School Board to call a special meeting. It is a time for (board president) Mike Desmond and the school board directors to discharge (Evans) and terminate her contract, without giving a payout using funds intended for the needs of students."

Evans' contract with North Kitsap School District, which runs through June 2026, includes language noting that the superintendent could be discharged and the contract terminated for "sufficient cause." The district confirmed Wednesday afternoon that a separate investigation is ongoing.

North Kitsap School District Acting Superintendent Rachel Davenport provided the following email statement from the district:

"The district is aware of Dr. Evans’ court appearance this morning. We understand that there was a pretrial diversion reached with the court but we have not confirmed all of the details of the diversion. Separate from the legal proceedings, North Kitsap School District 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. Even at the conclusion of the district investigation, the information that we will be able to share will be limited.

"We hear and are taking stock of feedback from our community. 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."

North Kitsap's next board meeting is scheduled for March 14 at the district's main office in Poulsbo.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: NK school superintendent gets diversion after sign-stealing charge