Lily Leedy is speaking out about the impact Tom Black had on her during her time at CHS. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
There is a human cost to every budget cut.
On paper, it’s dollars and cents.
But the impact one school employee can have on a generation of students is immeasurable.
This week Coupeville Schools Superintendent Steve King, working on a mandate from the school board, announced a third series of cuts.
A response to the district’s General Fund balance being projected to fall below 6% of the budget year’s expenditures, the reduction may go as high as $1,450,000.
As of June 21, cuts stand at $1,269,100.
This includes bringing an end to the position of Dean of Students, which had been held by Tom Black, a 19-year employee of the district.
The district, and the superintendent, expressed gratitude for his service.
Black, standing tall for all of his students during the pandemic. (Brian Vick photo)
Reaction to the news from Wolf Nation was swift, and impassioned.
The first to speak out is Lily Leedy, a 2022 Coupeville grad.
Her words, which she has graciously allowed me to reprint in full:
Hi David,
Just wanted to share why I think saving Mr. Black would benefit Coupeville and the kids attending Coupeville.
My freshman year was a medical roller coaster with medication and all; I never wanted to work or try in school, always had a massive attitude, and was not myself at all.
I was at my lowest.
Mr. Black allowed a safe place for me, a place I could go when my head was too full of problems.
He made me realize struggling wasn’t a weakness and there are always people out there that truly care about you even when it feels like the world is your enemy.
Every day he showed me that it’s OK to cry and his office could always be my place to vent.
I truly believe I wouldn’t have made it so far or become who I am without such a great support system that he had created for me.
I remember him telling me that not knowing what you wanna be or do is not because you aren’t capable, but because you’re allowed to move at your own pace without feeling like you need to go with everyone else’s pace.
I will forever be grateful for the patience and understanding he had for me.
Mr. Black had my back, now we need to have his.
Coupeville Sports 
This is a big mistake. Mr black has made a HUGE impact on many kids. Including myself. I would not have graduated if it was not for him. He was always there for me to look up too, encouraging when I didn’t see myself going far. After my ex jaushon clay died, he was a shoulder for me to cry on and a BIG support. There are so many countless times mr black has helped me grow into the person I am today. I am beyond disappointed and hurt in this decision and I truly think he deserves to be seen better. Regardless, he has been somebody for MULTIPLE kids from Coupeville high school to go to. And I without a doubt believe this would continue if you kept him. I am hurt, and extremely shocked.
It’s because when I was in high school their in like 2016 they bought all the middle schoolers brand new 3 in one tablet touchscreen computers and because have you seen the menu those kids get compared to the grilled cheese and pizza and such we got. Like yes the kids deserve the best food but not necessarily Michelin star
I’m completely blown away by this decision.. Mr.Black was one of two reasons I buckled down & graduated. He got me to realize the importance of graduating but also the importance of being happy in life & never letting YOURSELF down. I never had a bad day when he would greet me walking in the doors. I struggled a lot my highschool year especially & Mr.Black was like a father to me as he was for many other students at CMS/CHS. There will be no one that could ever replace him. I remember him telling me that no matter how hard life got, how old i was, when i graduated that he would always have my back & be a safe place. This is probably one of the biggest mistakes Coupeville district could make. Being class of 2019, where we raised a lot of commotion but I could attest to this on behalf of all of my graduating class as well, this is heartbreaking. You will not find someone who loves their job as much as Mr.Black. He helped me keep fighting & work hard as i didn’t think i would make it to my 16th birthday undergoing by battle with depression. When I finally opened up about it, I opened up to Mr.Black & that was the first time my feelings were made valid in my life. Don’t make this mistake.
I honestly don’t think I would have made it through middle/high school without Mr. Black. He was such a huge part in my journey it’s heartbreaking to see the love he has for his job and these kids be torn away from him.
I was in a very bad mental state in middleschool and started to fall again in Highschool. Mr. Black was always there to check in. Whether is was needing a place to breathe, vent, just take a moment ect. He was always there no matter the situation, he helped not only me but so many others through things that no one else would have wanted to. I know I could not have done it without Mr. Black. He was and I’m sure he still is that safety figure to these kids, we can’t take that away from them.
He reminds me so much of my great grandfather, always routing the kids on to do their absolute best, take your life day by day, don’t rush, if you need help just ask. That type of person… it’s that not the type of person we would want in our school protecting our children?