Coupeville Sports

Nicole Bailey (left) with sister Laura Dozier

They’re back in black, and back in the classroom.

Coupeville Elementary School teachers Nicole Bailey and Scout Smith, who received Reduction in Force (RIF) notices as the district worked to hammer out its budget earlier this year, have both been rehired.

The moves were added Wednesday night to the agenda for Thursday’s School Board meeting.

Bailey, a CHS grad who has had a majorly positive impact on the elementary school over the past five years, returns to that school, while Smith, a fellow Wolf alumnus, is moving to the middle school.

The news that financial numbers and (projected) students in the classroom have clicked into place to allow for the rehiring of the two will likely be met with great joy in the community.

Bailey has been a vital part of the school district’s Facilities Planning Task Force as it works towards the goal of giving Coupeville students a much-needed new elementary school.

During task force meetings, she has been one of the leading voices and is absolutely one of the people who should be at the forefront of interaction with the public as the district prepares a bond request for town voters.

As a proud native of Cow Town, Bailey has already impacted the next generation in her classroom, something pointed out by fellow Wolf grad turned elementary school supernova Mandi Black.

“Your classroom is thriving emotionally, academically, and socially,” Black wrote as part of a tribute to her friend and colleague at the end of last school year.

“One thing I heard loud and clear all year and at the moving on ceremony was that 5th graders loved math, and the community and family they built in Mrs. Bailey’s classroom.

“The best of dens, the test scores, the confidence all reflect the countless hours you poured into them.”

Scout Smith with her proteges, Lyla (left) and Tenley Stuurmans. (Sarah Stuurmans photo)

Smith, as frequently described on this very blog, was a three-sport star and team captain during her days at CHS, leading volleyball and softball teams to state while earning Athlete of the Year honors her senior year.

After college, she returned to her old stomping grounds and worked as a substitute teacher — a favorite of both of my younger nephews — before jumping to full-time status last year.

Smith has just kicked off her second season as CHS varsity volleyball coach, and her hire as the CHS varsity girls’ basketball coach is also on the agenda for Thursday’s school board meeting.

As she is one of the best and brightest we have, and could, if everything goes to plan, coach the Wolves for DECADES, her return to the classroom — thereby making it far more likely she’ll hang around as a coach — is a major win.