At the Bainbridge Island School District Board Meeting on January 9, 2025, resignation letters were submitted from Director Robert Cromwell and Director Mark Emerson. In both letters, Cromwell and Emerson referenced how proud they were to have served on the school board and that they are confident in the ability of the BISD School Board and School District to navigate future challenges.

“I am grateful for Director Cromwell and Director Emerson and their steadfast leadership during turbulent times,” said Amii Thompson, BISD Superintendent. “They are leaving the board in a solid place, and their successors will find an established board that guides an outstanding organization focused on serving all students.”

Cromwell is the Board Director for District 2. He was appointed to the position in April 2021 and elected in November 2021. His final school board meeting as a director will be on Thursday, February 13, 2025. 

Emerson is the Board Director for District 5. He was appointed in May 2019, elected in November 2019 and re-elected in November 2021. He also has served as Board Vice President and Board President. His final school board meeting as a director will be on Thursday, March 13, 2025. 

To fill the vacancies for Districts 2 and 5, BISD will appoint individuals for the remainder of the terms (both terms expire in November 2025). To be eligible, one must meet all these qualifications:

1. Be a citizen of the United States
2. Be a qualified voter of the Bainbridge Island School District
3. Live within the boundaries of District 2 or District 5
4. Is not employed by the district. If the Director's partner/dependents are employed by the district as a classified or certificated employee before their spouse becomes a director, the contract can be renewed for further employment.

To learn about what serving on the school board entails, please review this document provided by the Washington State School Directors’ Association. If you have additional questions, please contact School Board President Mark Emerson at memerson@bisd303.org  or BISD Superintendent Amii Thompson at athompson@bisd303.org. 

TIMELINE

District 2 Appointee Timeline:

• Beginning on January 10, 2025: Applications for the District 2 Appointee position accepted
• February 13, 2025: Applications due by noon
• February 14, 2025: All formal application materials are reviewed and candidates are contacted regarding interviews
• February 24, 2025, beginning at 5 p.m.: Special Session/Open Public Meeting for candidate interviews
• February 27, 2025, at 5:45 p.m.: Appointed Director for District 2 is sworn into office 
• May 5-9, 2025 – Appointee for District 2 files for the November 2025 General Election (BISD will walk the appointee through the necessary steps) 

District 5 Appointee Timeline:

• Beginning on February 7, 2025: Applications for District 5 Appointee position accepted 
• March 13, 2025: Applications due by noon
• March 14, 2025: All formal application materials are reviewed and candidates are contacted regarding interviews. 
• March 24, 2025, beginning at 5 p.m.: Special Session/Open Public Meeting for candidate interviews 
• March 27, 2025, at 5:45 p.m.: Appointed Director for District 5 is sworn into office 
• May 5-9, 2025 – Appointee for District 5 files for the November 2025 General Election (BISD will walk the appointee through the necessary steps)