Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Administration’ Category

CHS Principal changing jobs

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , on February 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Dan Berard

Coupeville High School will have its third principal in as many years when the 2026-2027 school year begins.

Dan Berard, who is in his first year in the district after a 27-year education career in Mount Vernon, is stepping down as CHS Principal and Career and Technical Education Director.

But he’s not leaving the prairie.

In a letter sent to students and families, Berard said “due to changing family health needs, I will be stepping away from my role as principal at the end of this school year to accept a different position within the Coupeville School District beginning next year.”

“This has been a thoughtful and personal decision,” he added.

“Serving as principal of Coupeville High School has been one of the greatest honors of my career.”

Berard’s new position has not been publicly revealed yet, with his letter saying, “in the coming weeks, the district will share more information about leadership transition plans.”

In that letter, Berard spoke glowingly of his time as Principal/CTE Director.

“I am deeply proud of our students, grateful for our dedicated staff, and appreciative of the partnership we share with families and this community,” he said.

“While my role will change, my commitment to our students and to Coupeville remains strong.

“I am thankful to continue serving within the district in a capacity that allows me to support my family while remaining part of this incredible school community.”

With four months remaining in this school year, Berard intends to keep things moving along smoothly.

“Please know that I am fully committed to finishing this school year strong,” he said.

“Our focus remains on supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally as we move toward graduation, spring activities, and all the important milestones ahead.”

Berard replaced Geoff Kappes after he resigned as Coupeville’s high school and middle school principal, while also picking up the CTE duties.

Becky Cays was hired as CMS Principal and CHS/CMS Athletic Director and remains in those positions.

Before coming to Whidbey, Berard was most recently the Executive Director of Operations for the Mount Vernon School District.

He previously worked as a teacher, middle school principal, assistant principal, dean of students, and athletic director, starting in Mount Vernon schools in 1998.

Read Full Post »

Coupeville Schools tab new Maintenance Supervisor

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , on February 24, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Jon Beck

There’s a new guy in charge.

The Coupeville School District has hired Jon Beck as its Supervisor of Maintenance, Operations and Capital Projects, pending school board approval at Thursday’s meeting.

He replaces Scott Losey, a CHS grad who recently retired after several decades working for the district.

In a newsletter sent out Tuesday, Coupeville Schools Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood hailed Beck for “bringing over 35 years of experience in facilities management, fleet maintenance, and capital project oversight, with extensive expertise in apparatus and equipment maintenance, contractor management, and procurement.

“He holds certifications from the National Fire Academy and is a Kohler and Generac Certified Generator Technician, bringing valuable hands-on technical knowledge to the role,” she added.

Beck is “known for his detail-oriented leadership style and commitment to operational efficiency and safety,” Leatherwood said.

“He specializes in preventative maintenance programs, capital project planning, public bidding processes, and facilities repair and operations.

“He has also managed multi-million dollar budgets, overseeing site acquisition and facility construction, and directing maintenance teams.”

Read Full Post »

New admins join Coupeville Schools

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , on February 9, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Stacy Larsen

The Coupeville School District is adding two new admins in the coming months.

Stacy Larsen will take over the role of Director of Business and Finance beginning in March, while Dr. Heather Ireland, Ed.D., is slated to begin as Director of Special Services in July.

The hirings were announced Monday in a community newsletter sent out by Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood and will be official once approved by the school board.

Larsen was most recently Vice President of Finance for Lighthouse Mission in Bellingham, where she “led organizational budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning while ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal financial regulations.”

Before that, she managed financial, administrative, and business operations at Living Word Church in Oak Harbor and was CFO and President of EXA Data & Mapping, Inc.

Larsen, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Western Washington University, was described by Leatherwood as being “highly adaptable, organized, and detail oriented.”

Dr. Heather Ireland

Ireland brings “29 years of experience in rural public education, with extensive expertise in special education, multilingual learner programs, and instructional integration.”

She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Washington State University, as well as having earned Superintendent and Principal certifications.

“Dr. Ireland specializes in Section 504 coordination, district assessment, IDEA compliance, and paraeducator support,” Leatherwood said.

“Her proven track record in maintaining strong alignment to district vision and ensuring both state and federal compliance makes her an excellent fit for our district.”

Read Full Post »

Superintendent extended through 2029

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , on January 29, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Shannon Leatherwood

The Coupeville School Board voted Thursday to extend Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood’s contract an additional year.

The new contract covers July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029.

Voting was 4-0, with board member Chic Merwine absent after leaving mid-meeting to deal with a family matter.

The board previously voted in June 2025 to extend Leatherwood through 2028 and gave her a raise at that time from $194,704 to $200,604.

Leatherwood, who replaced Steve King in 2024, was previously the Principal at Spanaway Middle School, where she was named the 2023 Washington State Secondary Principal of the Year.

She has a Master of Education degree from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Education from Saint Martin’s University and later continued her education through Central Washington University and Washington State University.

Read Full Post »

Coupeville School District money man resigns

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , on December 10, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Brian Gianello

The Coupeville School District has lost one of its linchpins.

Brian Gianello, who worked tirelessly as Director of Finance and Human Resources, has resigned after two-and-a-half-years in the positions.

The affable money man, who was hired in July of 2023, has been at the forefront of the district’s budget work.

In a “Wolfpack Family/Community News” newsletter sent out Tuesday, Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood said:

Coupeville School District is conducting a search for a Director of Business and Finance following the recent resignation of Brian Gianello.

This position oversees financial operations, budget management, and business services that support our students and schools.

We have strong interim leadership in place to ensure continuity during this transition, and all district operations continue smoothly.

If you know a qualified professional who might be interested in serving our community in this important role, please share this opportunity with them.

Gianello held the same positions in the La Conner School District from 2021-2023 before being hired by previous Coupeville Superintendent Steve King.

An email sent to his work address Monday bounced back with the reply “I am currently out of the office, and all emails will be forwarded.”

The School Board is scheduled to hold its monthly business meeting next Thursday, Dec. 18, and Gianello’s resignation is expected to be included on the agenda.

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »