North Kitsap superintendent suspected of stealing campaign signs prior to special election
Superintendent suspected of stealing campaign signs
Trail cameras recorded a person damaging and stealing campaign signs in Kitsap County ahead of the Feb. 13 special election. The top suspect under investigation is Laurynn Evans, the North Kitsap School District Superintendent.
POULSBO, Wash. - EDITOR’S NOTE (Aug. 6, 2026): Misdemeanor theft charges against former North Kitsap School District Superintendent Laurynn Evans were dismissed after she successfully completed a pretrial diversion program, an order of dismissal from Kitsap County District Court states. Court records said that any posted bail or bond was exonerated following the State of Washington’s motion to dismiss the case.
Criminal charges against former North Kitsap School District Superintendent Laurynn Evans have been dismissed following her completion of a pretrial diversion program, according to Kitsap County District Court records.
The misdemeanor charge of third-degree theft stemmed from allegations that Evans stole and damaged campaign signs opposing a $242 million school district capital bond measure ahead of the February 2024 special election.
A Kitsap County District Court order signed Aug. 30, 2024, granted the state's motion to dismiss the charges with prejudice after Evans successfully fulfilled the conditions of her pretrial diversion agreement. The order also exonerated any posted bail or bond.
The case gained public attention in January 2024 when the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office announced an investigation into stolen campaign signs reading "VOTE NO NKSD BOND." Residents monitoring the signs installed trail cameras, which captured footage of a woman removing the signs around 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 26 and placing them into a pickup truck.
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Deputies later traced the vehicle's license plate to a meeting hall in Poulsbo, where Evans was contacted by law enforcement. While she initially denied involvement during questioning, further investigation identified her as the primary suspect.
Following the public release of the sheriff's investigation, the North Kitsap School Board voted at a Feb. 8, 2024 meeting to place Evans on paid administrative leave. The board subsequently appointed Rachel Davenport, the district's executive director of human resources, as acting superintendent to lead the district during the review process.
Pam Keeley, a Poulsbo resident, said she could not believe the allegations against the superintendent when news spread quickly throughout the community.
"I thought it was devastating that a public official would go to those ends to try to tip an election," said Keeley. "Sets such a poor example for the kids in the schools. To go against the voice of community members, teachers and staff that have other ideas."
The controversial measure, Proposition 1, sought $242 million to rebuild two elementary schools, remove aging portables, and upgrade security and athletic facilities across the district.
Completion of the diversion agreement resolves the criminal case without a conviction or finding of guilt.