Board of Directors
Our school board is dedicated to fostering an environment where every student can achieve academic excellence and personal growth in a safe and supportive setting.
As elected representatives of our community, we are committed to making informed decisions that shape the future of our schools. Our responsibilities include:
- Policy Development: Crafting and implementing policies that promote high educational standards and equity.
- Budget Oversight: Ensuring that financial resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to support student learning and well-being.
- Superintendent Supervision: Collaborating with and providing oversight for the Superintendent to ensure the district's strategic goals are met.
- Curriculum and Instruction: Evaluating and approving curricula that meet the diverse needs of our students and prepare them for future success.
- Facilities Management: Overseeing the maintenance and improvement of school facilities to provide a safe and conducive learning environment.
- Community Engagement: Encouraging active participation from parents, students, teachers, and community members to foster a collaborative educational community.
Our mission is to support every student in reaching their full potential by prioritizing safety, equity, and excellence in all our decisions. We invite you to explore our initiatives, participate in our meetings, and join us in our dedication to student success and safety.
The South Kitsap School District Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to belong, believe, and become. As elected representatives of our community, the Board provides leadership and governance that support high levels of student learning, responsible stewardship of public resources, and a safe, welcoming environment for all students and staff.
The Board's primary responsibilities include:
Setting District Direction
Establishing the vision, goals, and policies that guide the district's work and support student achievement.
Policy Governance
Developing and adopting policies that promote academic excellence, equity, safety, and operational effectiveness throughout the district.
Fiscal Stewardship
Approving and monitoring the district budget to ensure resources are managed responsibly and aligned with student needs and district priorities.
Superintendent Oversight
Hiring, supporting, and evaluating the Superintendent while working collaboratively to advance the district's strategic goals.
Student Learning and Achievement
Monitoring student outcomes and supporting educational programs that prepare students for success in college, career, and life.
Facilities and Capital Planning
Providing oversight of district facilities and long-range planning to ensure safe, functional, and future-ready learning environments.
Community Engagement
Representing the interests of the community by listening to stakeholders, encouraging public participation, and fostering strong partnerships with families, staff, students, and community organizations.
The South Kitsap School District Board of Directors is dedicated to serving students and the community with integrity, transparency, and accountability. We invite you to attend board meetings, stay informed about district initiatives, and partner with us in supporting the success of every learner.
Meet the Board Members
Brian Pickard, President
Director District 3
School: 360-874-7323
Elected to the Board of Directors in November 2021, Mr. Pickard has over 30 years of experience as a South Kitsap School District teacher, coach, principal and district administrator. Mr. Pickard has a Master in Educational Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and has served in leadership roles for the Elementary Principals' Association of Washington.
Mr. Pickard has been part of the South Kitsap community for over 32 years and is past president and current board member of South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank, past board member of Kitsap Community Resources, a broadcaster for SKHS football, and has coached for various youth sports leagues.
Mr. Pickard is married to Molly Pickard, a retired SK teacher. He is the father of two adult children, both SK graduates, and the grandfather of two.
Jay Villars, Board Vice President
School: 360-874-7325
Jay Villars was elected to fill the position of Director District 5 in November of 2023. He has been a resident of South Kitsap for over 30 years. Director Villars has a Masters degree in Educational Administration and a Bachelors degree in History and Political Science. Additionally, Jay earned a Superintendent’s Certification from Western Washington University. Director Villars has served in education for 38 years and 20 of these were as an administrator in South Kitsap. Currently, he is an Accreditation coach for high schools in Washington State. Jay is a member of the morning Kiwanis Club in South Kitsap and has been a member of the Port Orchard Rotary and South Kitsap Rotary clubs. Jay is married and has three adult children who have all graduated from South Kitsap High School.
Kate Espy
School: 360-874-7321
Appointed to the Board of Directors in 2021, and elected in 2023, Ms. Espy has worked as an Emergency Department and Forensic Nurse for 40 years, 38 at St. Michaels Medical Center. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Ms. Espy has lived in South Kitsap for 38 years and has two adult children, both South Kitsap graduates. She currently serves as the president of the Kitsap Support Advocacy Counseling Board, is past president and current member of Port Orchard Soroptimist, past president/member/volunteer of Girls on the Run West Sound, past president of the South Colby PTO, and served on the SKSD Citizen Budget Review Committee. She also volunteers for the health department and is a member of Medical Reserve Corp with the Kitsap Emergency Management.
Megan Higgins
School: 360-874-7322
Megan Higgins was elected to fill the position of Director District 2 in November of 2023. A resident of Washington since childhood, Megan graduated from Ephrata High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington. She worked for Seattle Children’s Research Department for several years until she became a full-time mom. In 2021, Megan moved to South Kitsap along with her husband and three elementary and preschool-age children. As mother to a child with high medical needs, Megan has worked closely with nursing staff in the district over the past couple years. She has also worked with students and staff at Marcus Whitman Middle School as a tutor. Megan loves to read and you will often find her at the local library with her kids.
Andy Brandon
School: 360-874-7324
Andy Brandon was appointed to fill the position of Director District 4 in June of 2024. Andy grew up in Port Orchard where he graduated from South Kitsap High School. He recently received a Bachelor's degree in Applied Business Management from BYU-Idaho. He has worked in public service for 19 years, the last 16 of them in Port Orchard.
Andy is married and has three children; one is a graduate of South Kitsap High School and two are currently active in the school district. He has worked in the schools, coached sports both at the schools and in recreational leagues, and continues to volunteer where needed.
Attend and Be Heard
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All are welcome to attend school board meetings either virtually or in person. Regular meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month, except for the months of November, April, June, and July whereas the Board will reference GC-12-A: Annual Board Agenda Calendar for regular meeting dates. All meeting dates and locations will be published on the district website.
Unless otherwise posted, the meetings are held at the District Office at 2689 Hoover Ave SE, Port Orchard and at South Kitsap School District schools. Board members sometimes schedule special meetings to conduct study sessions or act on issues of immediate concern. Notices of meetings are published at least 24 hours in advance.
Please check the meeting notices listed below for information about attending meetings remotely and adjustments to meeting dates and or start times.
In Person:
Meetings are typically held at the School District Administrative Offices at 2689 Hoover Avenue, Port Orchard in the Board Room.Join Virtually:
All regular board meetings are broadcast online via Zoom.com. The webinar ID and passcode to join the Zoom will be posted on the district calendar by 10:00 am on the day of the meeting. -
In Person Public Comment:
If you wish to address the Board, complete a yellow card available at the meeting, and present to a staff member.
Public Comment via Zoom:
Register for public comment by 3:00 pm on the day of the meeting by sending an email to PublicComment@skschools.org and include:
- The meeting date in the subject line
- Your first and last name, contact information, and the topic you would like to address
- Indicate if you plan to speak to the Board or submit a written comment. Written comments are not read aloud at meetings
- All comments are limited to three minutes.
As a reminder, the Board listens to public comment but does not engage in question and answer sessions during the meeting.
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