POULSBO — Here’s what else is in the packet for the North Kitsap School Board’s meeting Thursday, Nov. 12, along with follow-ups from the board’s Oct. 15 meeting.
Enrollment just under budget
North Kitsap’s enrollment this fall is slightly below what the district budgeted for, according to the September budget status report. Not counting Running Start and alternative learning students, the district estimates 4,873 full-time-equivalent students, compared with 4,911 in the budget, a gap of 38. “Any amount of FTE below budget is a reduction of revenue,” the report says, and the district is watching it as part of its estimate for the year.
The district ended the 2025-26 school year with a general fund balance of about $10 million, roughly 9.1% of the year’s spending, which the report calls “a positive sign.” Through September, spending in the $120.6 million general fund was running slightly under budget.
Donations top $343,000 for the year
The board is expected to accept $41,997.51 in donations from June through August, bringing total donations for the 2025-26 school year to $343,519.02. The largest gift in the period was a $10,685.93 gym score table from the North Kitsap High Athletic Boosters, which also paid $2,800 for a weight-room jump kit and $2,800 for a bus to take the football team to Central Washington University. The Hilder Pearson Elementary PTA gave $4,705.16 for fifth-grade outdoor camp, and the KHS Boosters gave $3,311.37 for drama productions.
Also on the consent agenda: a $3,838.55 donation from Voors Inc., which operates the Kingston Grocery Outlet, to help with Kingston High athletics equipment, and a $3,000 donation from Emily Kuo to Poulsbo Elementary’s field trip fund.
New NKHS baseball coach
Jon O’Connor is recommended as North Kitsap High’s new head baseball coach, replacing Jeff Weible, who resigned. Other coaching hires include Laurie Adams as an assistant girls basketball coach at Poulsbo Middle and James Gentle as an assistant girls flag football coach at Kingston High. Margaret Lashua, a payroll and benefits accountant, retires Jan. 1.
Title I help for students at Bremerton Catholic school
The board will consider an agreement with the Bremerton School District to provide federal Title I reading and math help to two North Kitsap students who attend Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Bremerton. Federal rules require the district to set aside money for eligible private school students; North Kitsap will pay Bremerton up to $3,495, or about $1,747 per student.
New bus
The district’s bills for the month include a $147,195.90 payment from its transportation vehicle fund to Schetky Northwest Sales, a school bus dealer.
From the Oct. 15 meeting
- Kingston High football field: Student board representative Erik Swanson told the board that part of Kingston High’s football field and track sit on Kitsap County land, and that if the district ever wants to build grandstands, it would be better for the district to own it. He said he had met with the county and planned to ask the parks department whether it would donate the land or what it would cost. Davenport encouraged him to work with Assistant Superintendent Mike Merlino.
- Military grant: Davenport reported that the district applied for a $25 million federal military grant but was not chosen, and is looking for similar grants.
- Cell phones: Board Vice President Beverly Godfrey asked fellow board members for feedback on the use of cell phones in schools, noting that the governor is working on a proposed law to keep phones out of schools. Godfrey said the board needs a united position and warned that the cost of securing phones could become an unfunded mandate.
- The board also approved the district and school improvement plans, a plan for testing lead in drinking water and a resolution to propose selling district property, all 5-0.
The board meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the boardroom at the Student Support Center, 18360 Caldart Ave. NE, Poulsbo, and online via Zoom; the link is on the agenda at nkschools.org.
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