Bremerton School Board's True Intentions Revealed: Ending Strategic Plan After Dr. Crawford's Firing

The Bremerton School Board's recent decision to halt work on the Strategic Plan and terminate its contract with Performance Fact is the latest sign of an internal power struggle that has plagued the district. Since the board launched investigations into Dr. James Crawford, the community has questioned their true support for the Strategic Plan, which was designed with input from hundreds of educators, students, and community members. Now, with Dr. Crawford out of the picture, the board seems poised to abandon the plan altogether.

The Board’s Lack of Support for the Strategic Plan Was Always a Concern

While the board officially approved the Strategic Plan in June 2024, rumors persisted that they were not fully committed. These suspicions were confirmed during the September 19, 2024, board meeting, where School Board President Alyson Rotter and other members raised concerns about the timing and financial burden of continuing the plan.

Carolynn Perkin’s remarks clearly signaled a shift in priorities. “I don't think this is a good time for us to really delve into something as heavy as this... I don't want to forget about it. I don't want to not do it at all. I'm just saying at this time let's not rush into this.” Her comments reflect the board’s desire to put the Strategic Plan on hold indefinitely, raising questions about whether the board was ever fully committed to it.

Perkins further noted the expense, stating, “It is a significant amount. I think at this time, for those several reasons, I don't think this is the time to go fast forward with…It’s not that I didn’t appreciate all of [Performance Fact’s] input and all that they led us through, however, I don’t think that we should be just rolling back the head.”

Dr. Crawford’s Firing: A Key Move to Abandon the Strategic Plan

Dr. Crawford’s strong support for the Strategic Plan may have made him a target for the board, whose actions suggest they were looking to regain control of the district’s direction. His firing now appears to have been a calculated move to distance the district from the plan. With Dr. Crawford gone, the board seems ready to walk away from a plan that was shaped by the community, stating concerns over whether the plan aligns with the district's current situation.

Alyson Rotter admitted, “Now knowing what we know at this point... it is a very expensive contract... we know we need to be really conscientious about our expenditures.” This acknowledgment that the board is questioning not only the contract but the entire plan confirms earlier concerns that their support for the Strategic Plan was never genuine.

Social Emotional Learning: The Board Anchors To The Past

The board’s sudden shift away from the Strategic Plan raises questions about what comes next. Alyson Rotter, who has previously been involved in promoting Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the district, may be positioning herself to redirect district priorities toward SEL. While SEL is an important initiative, the concern is that it could overshadow the broader goals of the Strategic Plan, which was designed with the entire community's input.

During the meeting, the board also expressed uncertainty about future leadership and its capacity to implement the plan. Aly said, “Things have been really fluid for our district... not knowing who was going to be at the helm to lead us through this.” With Rotter in a leadership role and a new focus emerging, it seems likely that the board is pivoting toward initiatives more closely aligned with her professional background, potentially at the expense of the community-driven Strategic Plan.

Was This the Plan All Along?

In retrospect, the investigation into Dr. Crawford and his eventual firing appear to have been part of a larger effort to steer the district away from the Strategic Plan. The September 19 discussion makes it clear that the board had doubts about the plan from the beginning, and now that Dr. Crawford is gone, they seem eager to abandon it.

This raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability. The Strategic Plan was the product of extensive community input, yet the board seems poised to discard it in favor of a different direction, one that aligns more with their internal priorities than the needs of the district. It’s important to note that the district’s SEL programming is the production of Kitsap Strong, a subsidiary of Kitsap Community Resources (KCR). Aly Rotter was employed by Kitsap Strong until mid-2023 and retains strong ties to its leadership; while Carolynn Perkins is the President of the Board of KCR where John Hurley is currently employed.

In her comments, Rotter admitted, “The continued concern in conversations that we had throughout the summer was maybe not so much the optics on is the board was supportive, but also... not knowing that we were going to have a dedicated interim by the end of the summer.” This uncertainty reflects the larger issue at play—the board’s apparent hesitation to fully support a community-driven plan and their desire to assert control.

Moving Forward: A Call for Accountability

With the board tabling the contract for further discussion at the next meeting, it does demonstrate that Aly hasn’t secured sufficient votes to undo the Strategic Plan on her own, however the future of the Strategic Plan remains uncertain. What is clear, though, is that the board's actions are shifting the district in a new direction, one that seems to prioritize their own agenda over the voices of the community.

As the board continues its discussions, it is crucial for the public to remain engaged and demand accountability. The Strategic Plan represented a collective vision for the district’s future, and the community deserves to know why the board is so willing to abandon it.

In the coming months, the community must ask hard questions about the board’s true intentions and whether their current course truly serves the district’s long-term interests—or just their own.