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.
Shannon Turner and Jenny Farley will face off in the general election Nov. 4 for Bremerton School District’s Director Position 4, with both candidates bringing a number of different experiences.
the seat is a four-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Incumbent Alyson Rotter is not seeking re-election.
Turner is an Army Veteran and served during Operation Desert Storm. After his service, he decided to stay in Washington state and Kitsap County. For 10 years, he has served on a number of boards, including Kitsap Community Resources and Parent Policy Council.
Graduating from Olympic College with an Associate’s Degree, Turner worked as an executive legislative assistant for 23rd District Rep. Tarra Simmons and former Rep. Sherry Appleton, and served also as her campaign manager. He is a community development administrator for Peninsula Community Health Services and serves on numerous local boards.
Farley works at the Naval Shipyard in Bremerton and has worked in trade management, project management and financial management for 26 years. She graduated from Bremerton High School herself in 1997 and played basketball as a student athlete for Olympic College, from which she obtained an Associate’s Degree in 2002. She is also a 2003 Rigger Apprentice graduate from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard program.
Farley became a mentor for the AVID program this past year and worked with freshmen at BHS and said she loved working with the kids. She’s also volunteered as a youth soccer coach and a Washington State Traffic Safety Council Speaker.
Below are each candidate’s statement from the voters pamphlet.
Turner: As a parent of four in the Bremerton School District, a U.S. Army veteran, and a lifelong advocate for equity, I believe public education is the foundation of a strong community. I’m running for school board because I want every student in Bremerton to have the tools, support, and opportunities they need to thrive—regardless of background.
Student success means more than test scores. It means access to mental health resources, inclusive learning environments, and after-school programs that keep kids safe, supported, and inspired. It also means making sure our teachers have the respect, resources, and compensation they need to focus on what they do best—teaching and mentoring the next generation.
Responsible leadership means thinking beyond today’s budget and advocating for smart investments that build long-term success. We must prioritize transparency, community voice, and bold, future-ready strategies that prepare our kids for the world ahead.
This campaign is about partnership—between families, educators, and the broader community. I’m running to serve, listen, and lead with heart. Together, we can create a stronger, more supportive Bremerton School District that reflects the hopes and values of our community. Let’s do this—together.
Farley: As a lifelong Bremerton resident and proud graduate of Bremerton High School, I am committed to strengthening our schools and community. I’m running for school board to ensure every student receives a safe, inclusive, and high-quality education as well as strengthening trust in our school district’s leadership.
With over 25 years of leadership at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and a strong professional financial background, I’ve managed multimillion-dollar budgets and successfully led complex projects. I bring the experience needed to help deliver the new schools, funded by millions of taxpayer dollars, on time with accountability and transparency, directly benefiting our students.
I’ve mentored students, coached youth sports, and volunteered throughout Bremerton, building strong community ties. I recognize the need to improve academic outcomes across the district and will support effective teaching, data-driven decisions, and policies that put students first. That includes ensuring teachers and staff have the tools, training and support they need to help every student succeed.
Bremerton’s future depends on the strength of its schools. Together, we can raise expectations, improve results, and prepare every student—whether for college, a trade, the military, or another path. I would be honored to earn your vote.
