The Bremerton School District board voted Thursday morning to terminate Principal James Crawford, citing an investigation into the district’s use of the computer network, questions about his responses to those concerns and the work culture in the district office.
The board also appointed Deputy Director Garth Steedman as interim director Thursday morning during a special meeting before a large and vocal crowd on July 4.
The crowd of about 100 people erupted in boos and shouts as the board took three consecutive votes during a meeting that lasted about three minutes. The five-member board, led by Chairwoman Aly Rotter, voted unanimously to place Crawford on administrative leave, appoint Steedman and authorize the release of a public statement.
That statement, emailed shortly afterward and posted on the district’s website, called it a difficult decision and acknowledged incorrect rumors and speculation that had circulated in the community since word got out that an investigation was underway.
“We have determined that administrative leave was necessary and appropriate in light of the preliminary findings of an investigation into allegations regarding Dr. Crawford’s use of the District’s network and his candor when given the opportunity to address such use, as well as concerns we have received regarding the tone of Dr. Crawford’s interactions with District staff members,” the statement said.
Board members Rotter, Carolynn Perkins, Karen Bolton and Jonee Dubois quickly left the podium after the meeting adjourned. Board Vice Chairman John Paul Hurley remained behind as the crowd lingered in the district’s West Bremerton conference room, acknowledging that the quick action, including calling a meeting on a holiday, was due to information the board received verbally from legal counsel during a closed meeting Wednesday morning, which was also called with only 24 hours’ notice, as required by law.
“The concerns were so great that we felt like time was not on our side,” Hurley said.
Hurley said the board expects to receive written preliminary information about the investigation in the coming weeks, but said there is no timeline for a full report to be made public.
Members of the audience in attendance reacted loudly to the board’s initial vote to suspend Crawford. Crawford, who was present and seated next to the five board members, immediately stood up after the initial vote and walked to the back of the room with the supporters, then quickly left before the meeting adjourned.
As the meeting adjourned, there were cries of “What for?” and “Call the board back” and both Rotter and Bolton sternly reprimanded the attendees, at one point threatening to leave the room unless order was restored.
“Very discouraging meeting, very angry meeting, this is ridiculous,” Bette Hyde, a former Bremerton School District principal and Crawford supporter, said after the meeting, criticizing the lack of time for members of the public to address the board. “Look at these people. They are furious.”
Dr. Crawford, a 1998 graduate of Bremerton High School and a graduate of both Washington State and the University of Washington, was hired by the board in March 2023 and will begin as principal on July 1, 2023. Last February, he led an effort to pass a 25-year, $150 million bond to fund capital projects at schools across the district, as well as a two-year levy on educational programs and activities that was also approved by voters. Several of his high school classmates were in attendance Thursday morning.
“I’m shocked,” Barb Wright of Bremerton said after the meeting. “I’ve had some interactions with the superintendent and I have a lot of respect for him. … We still have no idea (what happened). To have a meeting on the Fourth of July, and it’s just 1-2-3. They screwed this up.”
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Bremerton school board suspends leader, investigation ongoing
