Reporter Central Kitsap
JOB SHADOW Bremerton students learn the ropes at Harrison Page 6
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014 | Vol. 29, No. 25 | WWW.CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM | 50¢
Bauman resigns, cites health issues
INTO THE WILD
BY SERAINE PAGE
SPAGE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Seraine Page/staff photo
Pat Kirschbaum, educator and outreach coordinator with the Clear Creek Trail, hands out cups with salmon fry. She visited Clear Creek Elementary to help students release the salmon fry into the creek behind the schools. (See story page 7.)
Library sites whittled down to two BY LESLIE KELLY LKELLY@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
And then there were two. It seems that that’s the number of options now being considered for the location for a new Silverdale Library. Although there was a public open house last Thursday to discuss three options for the
library, one of those locations was taken off the table the following day. The three locations originally under consideration were on the Central Kitsap Community Campus property near the Silverdale United Methodist Church and land owned by the Port of Silverdale in Old Town. But at the same time that
library officials and the Central Kitsap Community Council (CKCC) were taking comments on the three locations, commissioners for the Port of Silverdale voted to withdraw the port’s property from consideration. “Kitsap Regional Library is disappointed that the Port of Silverdale voted Thursday
night to withdraw a piece of property in Old Town Silverdale from consideration as a site for the new Silverdale Library,” said Jeff Brody, director of community relations for the Kitsap Regional Library. “KRL has been working with Port Commissioner Lawrence SEE LIBRARY, A9
Tracyton station closure still pending BY LESLIE KELLY LKELLY@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Bob Heistand remembers the days when the Tracyton Fire Station was brand new. “It was great back then,” Heistand said. “We all loved working here.” Heistand was a volunteer firefighter at the Tracyton station for 29 years, beginning in about 1970. He also served six
and a half years as a fire district commissioner. He and about a dozen other neighbors and residents of Tracyton toured the station Monday during an open house sponsored by Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue. The district is considering closing Tracyton Station 44, at 300 NW Tracy St., because of its age and needed repairs. After touring the building,
Heistand said, “She’s falling apart.” “I hate to see them leave,” he said. “This station is just right close to my house and I’ve always been glad of that. But the expense to keep it open just seems to be too much.” Heistand said he’s not that worried about response times getting any longer, because the efficiency of the district is so good.
“They’re pretty dang quick,” he said. Neighbors Bob and Kay Kono and Phyllis Vettleson came to see the station to give their opinions. “This station is just the same age as my house,” Vettleson said. “I guess that doesn’t speak too well for my house.” Kay Kono said she’s lived in SEE FIRE STATION, A9
Central School District Superintendent Hazel Bauman has resigned from her position citing health issues as the reason for stepping down. David McVicker, assistant superintendent, business and operations, will take over as the interim superintendent effective immediately. The board made a motion to approve McVicker as the interim superintendent until June 30, 2015. “This is a terrific district and community, and I’ve enjoyed my time here,” Bauman was quoted as saying in a district press release. “We’ve got some great initiatives underway, and I’d been looking forward to leading this work through next June. Unfortunately, my health will not allow me to continue. I would just ask for privacy for myself and my family during this time.” Bauman was not present during the special session. During the meeting, the CKSD school board members went into executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding Bauman’s letter she turned in on Monday regarding her resignation. Her letter reads as follows: “Dear Chairman Gaines and Members of the Board: Due to unforeseen circumstances involved my physical health, and with deep regret, I am resigning my position as superintendent of the Central Kitsap School District. I request you accept my resignation effective June 30, 2014. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of such a great organization and to help serve the needs of the students, staff, and community.” It was after the second executive session that the single internal candidate, McVicker, was considered for the interim position. McVicker’s been with the district since 1987 where he started as Brownsville Elementary’s principal. “I am as disappointed as the board is,” said McVicker of Bauman’s resignation. “Not
Courtesy photo
CKSD Superintendent Hazel Bauman only did Hazel begin to get us in the direction that we needed to go, but I learned a lot from her. I’m also honored to be able to take on this position in the district.” After coming out of the first executive session, CKSD Board President Mark Gaines read Bauman’s letter to the board and small audience regarding her resignation. “I’m trying not to get emotional here,” Gaines said, choking up. Other board members offered well wishes and their disappointment to hear of Bauman’s resignation. “We’ve benefitted greatly from her energy,” said Jeanie Schulze, CKSD board member. Schulze noted that Bauman was able to throughly relate and understand the roles of teachers and administrators throughout the district. Board member Chris Stokke echoed Schulze’s comments. “She’s done a great job since she’s been here,” Stokke said. “She feels horrible for sending her resignation down. We’ve got a lot to thank her for.” Stokke said he saw Bauman on Monday when she delivered the news to him, and she looked “weary” and had lost weight. “This hurts,” said Eric Greene, board member. “She does need to get better. She needs to put herself first at this particular time. I just hope that she gets better and that we pick up and carry on in the direction that she got us pointed in her short time here.” SEE BAUMAN, A9