Editor’s note: Since this race was covered before the primary election, Kitsap News Group is running candidate statements from the voters pamphlet rather than asking them the same questions as before.
The race for Bremerton School Board, Director Position 5 features Ben Anderson, who currently holds the seat after being appointed in February, running against Linda Osborn Simpson, a former Boys and Girls Club educator, in the upcoming Nov. 4 general election
The seat is a four-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Anderson graduated from Bremerton High School and was accepted into the United States Coast Guard Academy, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He served 10 years of active duty in the Coast Guard, attaining the rank of Commander, and did another 10 years in the reserves. He is currently the CEO of Art Anderson Associates, an engineering firm in downtown Bremerton.
He is involved in the Bremerton community working as a volunteer with the Bremerton School District, the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Olympic College/WSU Engineering Advisory Board and others.
A Navy Reserve veteran and Washington state credentialed teacher, Simpson became disabled when she lost her leg in a motorcycle accident. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master’s in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University, and worked as an educator for the Boys and Girls Club. Simpson and her husband, Michael, an Army Veteran who now works at the Navy Shipyard, raised two boys and went through the Bremerton School District.
Below are each candidate’s statement from the voters pamphlet.
Anderson: My roots in Bremerton run deep. As a lifelong resident and proud BHS graduate, my commitment to this community was further shaped by my service in the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon returning home, I immediately found ways to give back through community service and volunteering. With three children currently thriving at each level within the Bremerton School District, my drive to serve on the school board is personal. I am deeply invested in the education and development of every child in our community – they are our future.
My professional experience leading organizations through strategic planning and budget management will be a direct asset to the BSD. I am committed to fostering greater communication and transparency between the district and our community. This includes providing comprehensive updates on educational progress, celebrating student achievements that extend beyond state testing, and proactively addressing the challenges ahead. I will champion early and inclusive discussions with all affected parties to ensure decisions genuinely benefit our students.
This passion for service is fueled by a desire to enhance educational outcomes and expand opportunities for all Bremerton children. I am well-qualified for this school board position and respectfully ask for your vote.
Simpson: Every student—regardless of ability—deserves personalized support to build a strong foundation for adulthood. To improve student outcomes, we must rethink the traditional relationship between students, teachers, and families. One solution is to implement a mentorship model where teachers follow students through key academic stages: K–5, 6–8, and 9–12. This continuity can foster trust, consistency, and long-term academic support.
Today, only 30.1% of Bremerton high school students meet grade level in science, 26.1% in math, and 52.9% in English Language Arts (OSPI 2023–24 Report Card). These numbers represent more than just statistics—they reflect students being left behind. Engaging disaffected students—those who feel school no longer speaks to them—is critical. Opening the Skill Center to middle schoolers would provide access to hands-on learning that keeps students motivated and connected to their future.
Education cannot be the responsibility of teachers and schools alone. It takes all of us—families, neighbors, volunteers, local businesses, and school board leaders—contributing time, energy, and resources to help students thrive.
I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I bring a deep commitment, firsthand experience, and a willingness to listen, collaborate, and act decisively on behalf of our students and their future.
