Port Orchard will look to its voters Nov. 7 to decide who fills three South Kitsap School District positions, two of which are already set to be filled by newly elected officials.

The Port Orchard Independent posed two broad questions to the candidates: What are the five biggest issues and your stance on them, and why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Kate Espy v. John Sehmel: District 1

Espy has served for two years after being appointed. She said students deserve the best education possible while parents and community members should expect transparency and honesty from district leaders, leading her to believe that her experience as a director should continue to push forward that goal.

She said: “It is critical to have exceptional listening skills to work with students, parents, district staff and the community. The board’s responsibility is to do the best for our students. This means we work together and collectively make decisions. I will always accept the majority’s decision.”

On the other hand, Sehmel was not shy about voicing his concerns for the state of the district and is running to restore parental rights and transparency. He said that community members need someone who stands for the Constitution on the board, citing specifically one that understands the language of “one nation, under God.”

“I believe that a thriving society needs God at the center,” he said, “and the founders of our nation knew that! When you take God out of society there is no true foundation, and everyone has their own truth, which causes chaos!”

Espy’s top priorities are pursuing student academic achievement. Part of it will come, she said, with a heightened focus on safety. She then said that finances, trust and parental involvement play important roles in keeping students and parents happy with the district.

About finances, Espy said: “We, as the district and board, need to be fiscally responsible and fiscally transparent. Our focus needs to be on what our students and staff need and prioritize those needs while always keeping in mind the expectations of our community.”

Student safety is at the top of Sehmel’s priorities, as well as the budget, education quality and curriculum transparency. His priorities all fall into the general subject of parental responsibility and what the schools should and should not do with parents’ children. “Absolutely no secrets should ever be kept by school employees from parents, and parents have the right to determine and oversee what their children are taught.”

Megan Higgins v. Jaime Cross: District 2

Incumbent John Berg is forced to vacate his seat at year’s end after losing to both Higgins and Cross in the primary.

Higgins is taking the race personally with her children enrolled in the district and said that she will demonstrate level-headedness that has been lacking in board chambers over the past year. “As we bring our various backgrounds and experiences together, we are better for it. I’m willing to put in the effort to make sure our kids have the support they need to thrive in life after high school,” she said.

Cross made it clear that he feels change is necessary, declaring that those who feel the current state of the district is where they want it should vote for the opposition. He said: “Many parents have lost trust in our school system due to ideologies and theories being taught with the curriculum at the demand of politicians, not educators or parents. Because of this, enrollment is down, which is causing budgetary issues resulting in a situation where staffing cuts must be made and dedicated teachers will have to be let go.”

Higgins said her priorities have the district striving for quality education, a safe environment, accessibility, providing resources for success and parental engagement. Many of those link to the bond up for election, which she said she supports.

“We have buildings that are leaking, sinking and many are so small that our kids are in portable classrooms. Heating and cooling systems are failing,” she said. “Our kids deserve buildings where they have access to water and bathrooms if they need to shelter in place for an emergency.”

Cross also has the improvement of academic performance as his top priority, followed by financial accountability, lack of control over operations and policy decisions and increasing CTE opportunities for students. He believes that tax dollars should be spent wisely with the goal of educating students at the forefront.

“Trade schools are still the backbone of keeping America self-sufficient. We must consider that not all students are inclined to pursue college degrees. We need to offer as many alternatives to our students to help them succeed in the current and ever-changing job markets,” he said.

Jay Villars v. Rhonda Edwards: District 5

This seat has caught a lot of publicity, especially over the past year as Director Jeff Daily continues to advocate for actions against the district that he serves.

Villars, who has 30-plus years of experience in public education, promised that his time as a board member would be spent with the district’s visions and goals in the forefront, not consistent moves for political gain.

“Additionally, I would work as a collaborative leader keeping the interests of all of these groups including the community in mind. Through my leadership I would protect diversity, equality and inclusion so that our school community can grow and improve,” he said.

Edwards instead brings 35 years of business ownership, as well as her past experiences inside the walls of South Kitsap schools, to the table. With grandchildren of hers now in SK schools, she said her relation to the board would not be nearly as conflicting as other members. “I am a lifelong resident of Port Orchard and will always put the needs of our kids first,” she said.

Villars identified student achievement, improving facilities, financial stewardship, safety, and community trust as his top priorities.

He said, “We need to remodel and rebuild so that our students have state-of-the-art environments.”

Edwards prioritized academic achievement, financial responsibility, curriculum transparency, parental rights and district trust. Her answers lean into what she states should already be common sense goals that the current board continues to disappoint on.

“Parental rights do not stop at the school door,” she said. “This should not be a contentious statement; however, this issue doesn’t seem to be as important to the current school board as it should be.”

Kate Espy

John Sehmel

John Sehmel