NKSD year in review: Stadium goes from Viking to shades of gray

Published 2:03 pm Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Kevin Strozier resigns amid accusations

On the eve of a new basketball season, Kingston High girls coach Kevin Strozier suddenly resigned in November without an explanation.

Strozier, who led the Buccaneers to two straight state tournaments, later said he resigned to spend more time with his family, who lives in Tacoma. Later, North Kitsap School District officials and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s department confirmed Strozier had been accused of smoking marijuana with students and was under investigation by both entities when he resigned.

Neither investigation found the videotape students claimed existed, showing Strozier smoking. The sheriff’s department did not develop probable cause to make an arrest, and county prosecutors have not filed charges.

Professional Learning Communities debated, implemented

A change in the bell schedules at North Kitsap and Kingston high schools caused concerns for parents last summer.

The school district in July announced plans to introduce professional learning communities the high schools for the 2009-10 school year. The PLCs, as the district called them, are periods of time set aside during the school day for teachers to meet and exchange ideas to improve techniques. While their teachers collaborate, most students would use the free time to attend tutorials and work on weak subject areas or homework.

“What we’re trying to do is to get the teachers talking to each other, to help them all increase the caliber of their instruction,” district spokeswoman Chris Case said in July.

Some parents were concerned that not all students would be required to attend tutorials and feared some would end up sleeping in or getting into trouble during their free time.

“I really do support the PLCs,” Michele Kulhanek, a North Kitsap High parent, said in August. “But kids are kids and we need to be realistic. If they are not mandated to go (to tutorials), they will choose sleep.”

Despite the concerns and debate, the district implemented the PLC schedule at both high schools in September.

Bleachers, scoreboard painted neutral colors

When North Kitsap School District Superintendent Rick Jones decided the district should paint the bleachers and scoreboard at the North Kitsap Stadium , parents responded with disapproval.

Jones said by painting the bleachers and board with neutral gray and gold colors, the district was honoring the efforts made by students at both Kingston and North Kitsap high schools to share North Kitsap Stadium while Kingston athletes awaited lights for their field.

“It was definitely worth doing, because of the tremendous amount of work that went on trying to make concessions and accommodations,” Jones said in August. “By doing this, it honors all that work.”

Some parents said the $17,000 paint job was a waste of money because the bleachers and scoreboard were in good shape and neutral colors were not needed because Kingston athletes would be able to use their own field once lights were installed.

“I would have preferred to see that money spent some other way, like maybe putting some additional bleachers and restroom facilities out at KHS,” former North Kitsap High parent Marcy Salo wrote in an August email.

Technology Student Association goes to nationals

Twelve local high school students took their technical skills to a national competition last summer and came home with a handful of awards.

Seven students from North Kitsap High and five from Kingston High spent five days in Denver at the Technology Student Association’s national conference. The group competed in technical activities ranging from fashion design and film making to engineering.

“It was competitive, but everyone was pretty friendly,” North Kitsap student Amber Hoak said of the national competition. “You have to admire that people have put in a lot of work to get there.”

To get to the national competition, students often must win first place in their chosen category in a state competition. The students use their free time after school to work on projects and learn more about the technical fields that interest them.

“It’s really cool to be able to make things that you know are your own and that you know people don’t do the same way,” North Kitsap student Tyler Gregg said in July. “It’s very rewarding.”