What do you think about ‘Parents’ Rights’?

Families are our schools’ first and most enduring partners. So, when I hear  “parental rights” or “a voice for parents,” I believe these phrases can overlook the reality that parent partnership isn’t new–it’s already at the very core of how Washington schools should operate and how educators are evaluated every single year.

In Washington, the Association of Washington State Principals (AWSP) Leadership Framework—used to evaluate every principal and assistant principal—explicitly requires school leaders to "partner with families and communities to promote learning" (Criterion 7). It defines effective leadership as recognizing that families are vital to student achievement and that schools must build "trusting, transparent partnerships" where parents understand and help shape the work of the school. Likewise, the Marzano Teacher Evaluation Framework—used for every NKSD teacher—includes Criterion 7: "Communicating and collaborating with families and the school community." Teachers are required to demonstrate professional, ethical, and proactive communication with families to promote student learning, and principals are evaluated on how well they ensure that happens at scale.

When it’s suggested that schools are “hiding curriculum” or “sidelining parents,” that narrative simply doesn’t match the daily expected practice of our educators. In North Kitsap School District, for example, every curriculum adoption includes a public review period and opportunities for family feedback. Families can review materials, meet with teachers and principals, and access their child’s records at any time. These procedures meet—and often exceed—the access rights outlined in the federal Parents Bill of Rights Act (H.R. 5), which focuses on transparency around curriculum, budgets, and student data.  As your Board Director, I will ensure that families and the community know when the Instructional Materials Committee (the NKSD committee that reviews and recommends curriculum and course adoptions for the district) is considering material to put  forward to the board for adoption so that there is ample time for interested families to review and provide feedback.

As a North Kitsap School District School Board Director, I commit to ensuring that our public schools go beyond compliance with applicable laws. We will strive for genuine partnership—where family, student, and community voices shape our shared priorities. My focus as a Board member will be on strengthening the bridge between schools and parents,  not on dividing them. That means ensuring regular two-way communication, inclusive representation on decision-making committees, and policies that amplify, not just one parent’s voice, but the collective voices of all families, across every culture and community in North Kitsap.

If elected, I will champion collaborative transparency–open curriculum reviews, accessible records, and authentic engagement where families, educators, and students learn and lead together. Because when schools and families act as partners, every child wins.

When I hear advocates share that they will be “a voice for parents”, I try to use my experience to help them guide any and all parents to advocate for their own voice to be heard.  No one should feel like there is an unresolved issue with their students’ education.  Below are the current names and contact phone numbers for each school’s Principals.  Start there.  If your concern remains unresolved, escalate to their Director, whose current names and contact numbers are listed below all the schools.  

Phone translation is available for all staff members in North Kitsap School District.

La traducción telefónica está disponible para todos los miembros del personal del Distrito Escolar de North Kitsap.

北基萨普学区的所有教职员工均可享受电话翻译服务。

Ang pagsasalin sa telepono ay magagamit para sa lahat ng miyembro ng kawani sa North Kitsap School District.

ノース キトサップ学区の全職員は電話翻訳を利用できます。

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Elementary School Principals

Gordon

Heather Ben-Judah: 360-396-3802

Pearson

Craig Frick: 360-396-3752

Poulsbo

Debra Audet: 360-396-3502

Suquamish

Karra Lantz: 360-396-3852

Vinland

Travis Smith: 360-396-3602

Wolfle

Beth LaHaie: 360-396-3702

Elementary Director

Kari Brumley: 360-396-3042

Secondary School Principals

Kingston High + Choice

Craig Brewster: 360-396-3302

Kingston Middle

Adam Dysart: 360-396-3402

Poulsbo Middle

Michael Cron: 360-396-3202

North Kitsap

James Sellers: 360-396-3102

Secondary Director

Craig Barry: 360-396-3018