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Archive for the ‘Administration’ Category

CHS/CMS leaders placed on leave

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , on December 16, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville High School/Middle School Principal Geoff Kappes and Vice Principal Allyson Cundiff have been placed on non-disciplinary leave.

The move was announced Monday, and Coupeville Schools Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood sent out the following email:

 

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Coupeville schools shuffle admins

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , on October 2, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Erica McColl

It’s a game of musical chairs.

Erica McColl, who was hired as the assistant principal at Coupeville Middle and High School this fall, is moving down the street to become the interim principal at the elementary school.

She replaces David Ebersole, who is retiring as of Oct. 31.

McColl’s current position will be filled on an interim basis by Special Services Director Allyson Cundiff.

And who replaces Cundiff in her current job, at least on an interim basis?

That will be announced soon, said Coupeville Schools Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood, who expressed her gratitude to all involved.

It starts with Ebersole, who has been a very popular leader at CES.

“After many years of dedicated service, Mr. Ebersole has made the decision to retire,” Leatherwood said.

“We are grateful for his contributions to our school district and wish him all the best in his retirement.

“Please join us in expressing our appreciation for his years of service.”

His interim replacement, McColl, came to Coupeville from Anacortes, and has prior experience at the elementary level as both a counselor and paraeducator.

“Erica brings a strong commitment to student belonging and happiness and will be a valuable asset to our leadership team,” Leatherwood said.

Cundiff offers “a wealth of experience both within our district as our Special Services Director and as a principal in a neighboring district.

“She will continue to provide exceptional leadership and support to our students and staff,” Leatherwood added.

“We congratulate Erica and Allyson on their new roles and are confident in their ability to lead our schools.”

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State? Earn it, you must

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , , , , on October 2, 2024| Leave a Comment »

The WIAA makes life tough for District 1 schools like Coupeville. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The path to state tourney success is a narrow one.

Or, maybe more accurately, the path to getting to state in the first place is the trickiest part.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association released allocation numbers for fall sports this week, allowing Coupeville and its fellow District 1 rivals to see where they stand.

The numbers, as shown in this graph, reflect this year (2024-2025) and next (2025-2026).

 

 

Volleyball is being squeezed this season, with just one slot available at the 16-team 2B state tourney for a District 1 team this go around, before it reverts to two next school year,

For cross country, two boys’ teams and one girls’ team advance in 2024, though individual runners can also qualify on their own.

The numbers reflect a second District 1 team getting the call on the girls side next year.

Boys’ soccer, which has just an eight-team state tourney, will draw three teams from District 1, where Coupeville’s current co-ed program resides.

Finally, football exists in its own unique world.

There are currently only two District 1 schools playing 11-man football — Coupeville and Friday Harbor.

Those squads play twice during the regular season.

Sweep, and your league champs. Split the games, and the Wolves and Wolverines will play a tiebreaker.

Either way, the team that emerges from District 1 will face off with a team from District #4 in a full game to decide who advances to the state bracket.

And why do Districts 4, 5, and 6 get so many more state qualifiers? Because there are a ton more 2B schools in those areas.

Every district has its strengths and weaknesses, and, looking at the numbers, District 1 is strongest in 3A schools, for some reason.

Which could help Oak Harbor come postseason time. So, the Wildcats have that going for them, which is nice.

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The torch has been passed

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , on August 27, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Willie Smith, having handed over athletic director duties to Brad Sherman, prepares to scamper away.

Old office, new boss.

With the start of a new fall sports season arriving Monday, the change at the top of Coupeville school athletics became official-official.

Wolf grad Brad Sherman, who doubles as the CHS boys’ basketball coach, is now firmly entrenched as the high school/middle school athletic director.

And the former boss, Willie Smith, who is doing one more year as a teacher before fully hitting the road, is free to run wild in the waning days of summer, with nary a single schedule change to contemplate.

The times, they are a ‘changing.

But the focus remains the same.

“I would like to carry forward what Willie and Ron (Bagby) have done over the years,” Sherman said of his former coaches, men who were also his predecessors in the AD chair.

“Their commitment to our kids and the culture they helped build are very important,” he added. “I would like to help lead all of our programs to a very high level.”

Sherman’s grandfather on his mother’s side, Ernie Dire, was a longtime AD for Everett schools, and his service is commemorated in the office where his grandson is now beginning to write his own story.

On the wall of the office Sherman inherited from Smith, there is a display linking athletic letters from Everett and Coupeville schools, a daily reminder for the new man in charge.

As a true man of the prairie, having grown up in Coupeville as part of a farming family, Brad Sherman has been a vital part of Wolf athletics at every level – athlete, coach, and now administrator.

With his own four boys, wife Abbey, and a vast sprawling network of family in place to support him, the new AD was built for this job.

“There is no place I’d rather be than here,” Sherman said, as he deftly juggled scheduling changes, coach and parent interactions, and pesky reporters, before later capping his day with an appearance at the booster club meeting.

“I love the quote – make the big time where you are,” he added.

“It’s not just about wins and losses, it’s about building a strong culture, to benefit these kids in whatever they do in their lives. That’s the goal.”

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CHS/CMS tabs new Assistant Principal

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , on July 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Erica McColl

Help is on the way.

Coupeville High School/Middle School Principal Geoff Kappes will have key support crew in place again, with the news that Erica McColl is being hired as Assistant Principal.

McColl, who currently holds that position at Anacortes Middle School, replaces Leonard Edlund, who resigned after a medical leave of absence.

The new hire will be official after the school board approves it at its next meeting.

McColl has worked in Anacortes since 2022.

Before that, she was an assistant principal in the Marysville School District and the Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Manager with the Edmonds School District.

McColl, who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in counseling, began her career in California. 

Kappes issued a statement Monday heralding the new hire:

 

I am thrilled to share the exciting news that I am recommending Erica McColl to the Board of Directors to fill the position of Assistant Principal at Coupeville Middle and High School.

Erica brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role, making her an outstanding addition to our team.

With a strong background in school counseling, trauma-informed practices, Multi-Tiered System of Supports, and instructional leadership, Erica has demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering a supportive and effective learning environment for all students.

Her expertise will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our educational programs and support systems for our students.

The interview team believes that Erica’s skills and experiences will greatly benefit our school community and we are confident that she will make a significant positive impact in her new role.

Erica met with Superintendent (Shannon) Leatherwood and me Friday morning and we both agreed that she is a great fit for CMHS.

Please join me in welcoming Erica McColl to CMHS. We look forward to the board’s approval and to the many contributions she will make to our school.

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