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Archive for the ‘budget cuts’ Category

“Mr. Black is NEEDED at that school”

Posted in budget cuts, tagged , , , , on June 23, 2023| 6 Comments »

Tom Black, a mentor to many. (Photo courtesy Michelle Cernick)

He is their friend, their mentor, their rock.

For 19 years, Tom Black has stood tall for Coupeville students, knowing when to joke, when to gently aim a foot for a butt, when to administer hard love, and when to simply listen and be a port in the storm.

His title has been Dean of Students, but he has been so much more for a generation of Wolves coming of age.

Now, thanks to budget cuts, the man who had a handshake, a hug, gentle words of wisdom, or a cocked eyebrow for all, won’t return to the hallways at CHS and CMS in the fall.

Reaction from community members is a mix of disbelief, grief, and an outpouring of love for Black.

The same was true for Athletic Director Willie Smith and Athletic Trainer Jessica Caselden, who, like Black, are core members of Wolf Nation.

Smith’s job status was restored after a substantial outcry which included letters of support from every other Athletic Director in the Northwest 2B/1B League.

The Athletic Trainer position is still on the chopping block, despite protests from Wolf coaches and athletes — many of whom point out the relatively small cost of the position ($8,200) and Caselden being a positive role model for young female athletes and students.

If we’re being totally fair, any and all budget cuts are unpleasant, and there is no place Superintendent Steve King can trim where someone won’t be displeased.

That being said, the loss of a man like Black hits large for his community.

 

Dom Anania:

Mr. Black is a fixture in that school.

I was Class of 2012 and I wouldn’t have gotten through school without him.

Losing Mr. Black will have an extremely negative impact on the kids coming up.

 

Sandi Belli:

He is truly an amazing person and advocate for the young people he serves.

You can’t teach someone the unique skill set Tom has … they are simply part of this giant of a man!

 

Natalie Castano:

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 to, encouraging me 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 helped me grow into the person I am today.

I am beyond disappointed and hurt in this decision and I truly think he deserves better.

 

Michelle Cernick:

Mr. Black is a huge part of Coupeville schools.

He truly cares about the welfare of every one of those kids. He makes them all feel special by knowing everyone’s name and birthday.

When my son was in high school, he left home and wouldn’t talk to me. Mr. Black was how I knew he was OK.

He looked out for him to make sure he was doing alright and then he would let me know.

That was a very hard time for my family, and I don’t know what I would have done without Mr. Black.

I am so grateful to him for so much. He was always there for my kids when they needed him.

When my girls graduated, they wanted to make sure they hugged him and got a picture with him.

All three of my children love Tom Black.

He is a wonderful man and CHS will not be the same without him. This news saddens me for the students at CHS.

 

Carol Harrison:

Tom Black as Dean of Students is critical. He is a safe place for students.

He isn’t teaching and giving grades and because he isn’t, he is able to guide students and have their back.

Nineteen years.

I depended on him when I was teaching at CMS. He helped with the kids I was teaching and allowed me to teach.

I can’t imagine him not there or someone in his place to help students; keep Mr. Black!

 

Synda Lambert:

Mr. Black has been the most influential person for all of the kids who have gone to Coupeville Middle and High.

There has to be something done to keep his job.

 

Zachary McCormick:

Mr. Black is a great guy and I loved taking to him in the hallway during the day.

 

Stephanie Montgomery:

It’s not the position itself that is a loss, it is the one and only Mr. Tom Black that is the loss!

There are two people that I can name that I have always trusted to be aware of Zander, whether it’s in the hall, in the lunchroom or scooting across campus.

Mr. Black is one of them. The other is Mr. (Geoff) Kappes.

Mr. Black is aware of what all the students need, when they are entering the building for the morning, during the day on campus, and at the door when they’re leaving for the day.

His smile and personality are the face of Coupeville Middle & High School.

To lose him would cause the whole aura of the school to definitely change.

 

Toni Ricks:

There really are no words to describe the impact Mr. Black has had on Coupeville and the difference he has made for many students.

He takes the time to really listen to the heart of the students and they trust him.

He helps the students struggling to make the right choices and keeps them accountable.

He is able to communicate with the parents as well.

To say that there will be more supervision to help replace him makes no sense; without a relationship, it is not going to make a difference.

Listen to the students and other staff that know Mr. Black.

He is one of the souls that is truly gifted to work with children, and you cannot put a dollar amount on how valuable he is.

 

Angela Rogers:

You can’t put a price on Mr. Black. His impact is immeasurable.

What a huge blow to these kids.💔

We need more Mr. Blacks in our world.

 

Monica Vidoni:

Getting rid of Mr. Black is literally giving away the safe space for the school. It’s sickening.

 

Carrie Wilkinson:

To let Mr. Black go is a downright disgrace to these kids; he has been the glue that has held them all together.

He genuinely puts his heart and soul into each child that walks through those doors; they can trust him, they can confide in him, and he will listen.

All of my kids have graduated from CHS, but still to this day I hold the utmost respect for him.

Please do whatever it takes to keep him on board; these kids need him.

 

Payton Wilson:

Mr. Black kept me in check in the best ways possible.

He is NEEDED at that school.

He is the only one that shows any kind of compassion for the more “troubled youth.”

His office is always a safe space.

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“I will forever be grateful for him”

Posted in budget cuts, tagged , , , on June 22, 2023| 4 Comments »

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.

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Budget cuts affect paraeducators, Dean of Students

Posted in budget cuts, tagged , , , , on June 22, 2023| Leave a Comment »

The newest round of budget cuts in the Coupeville School District affects paraeducators and the farm manager, while eliminating the Dean of Students position.

The School Board, on a 4-1 vote April 27, adopted a “Modified Education Plan” which instructs Superintendent Steve King to reduce expenditures by up to $1,450,000.

That plan:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1drChKk0XF7nxVKGsRO7pxqzV8tp9G5Qj/view

The district has updated its list of cuts on its website three times, with the most recent tweaks hitting the internet Wednesday.

As of May 1, there were $790,100 in cuts.

That figure went to $928,000 on May 15, then jumped to $1,269,100 June 21.

The newest cuts include eliminating the Dean of Students position, held by Tom Black, a 19-year veteran of the district.

That cut is listed at $85,000.

Tom Black

“Unfortunately, these difficult decisions have led us to cut this position on the secondary campus,” Superintendent Steve King said in an email Thursday.

“Mr. Black is deeply respected by students and staff alike; we recognize this is a significant loss.

“Our administrators will adjust to absorb the daily support previously provided by Mr. Black, including increasing student supervision time.

“We thank Mr. Black for his many years of service and love for our Coupeville students.”

Other trims include reducing the Farm Manager position to being funded solely by grants, which will reduce cost by an estimated $50,000.

“The work of the school farm and its benefits for student learning and engagement is important to keep in place for the district,” King said.

“Kylie Neal, who has been doing amazing work as our Farm Manager, has resigned as she is relocating.

“The district plans to continue the position for the 23-24 school year, but it will be funded by grants and not from the district general fund.”

All paraeducators will see their schedule trimmed from 7 hours to 6.5, which the district pencils out at a savings of $76,300.

“To save as many positions and jobs as possible, we will be reducing our para daily hours,” King said. “This will allow paras to still be at work during the entire time students are on campus, including some before and after school supervision.

“While this impacts our paras, it is similar to the daily hours worked in many school districts.”

With the pandemic in retreat, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds which previously funded two temporary paraeducator positions at the elementary school ($60,000 total) will no longer be available.

As previously announced, one other paraeducator position has been eliminated due to attrition.

In a small trim, the district will reduce its transportation dispatcher position by four days.

This reflects the addition of four parent/teacher conference days, with no student attendance, to the 2023-2024 calendar.

The final new addition involves state lawmakers’ recent decision to fund free breakfast and lunch for all elementary school students beginning this fall.

“Based on our past experience when students received free breakfast and lunch we anticipate a significant increase in revenues with a less significant rise in expenses,” King said.

“We are currently projecting that this will be a reduction of at least $60,000 to the annual district contribution to the Connected Food Program.”

As the budget cut process has played out, two athletic positions have been involved, though one is no longer part of the plan.

A proposal to remove Willie Smith as Athletic Director, and hand his duties off to an assistant principal, was removed after originally being announced.

However, cutting CHS alumni and current teacher Jessica Caselden as Athletic Trainer ($8,200) remains on the list, despite a substantial outcry from athletes, coaches, and community members.

Jessica Caselden (far right), with other Wolf alumni who have gone on to become successful leaders in their communities. (Photo courtesy Kassie O’Neil).

A majority of the high school softball team wrote letters to King and school board members in support of Caselden.

Since then, Coupeville Sports has also received, and published, multiple letters to the editor calling for the decision to be overturned.

Writers have included fellow alumni and current Wolf coaches, praising Caselden’s work ethic, her return to the community in which she grew up in, and the impact it has on young students to have a positive female role model.

As of June 22, the cut remains in place.

“Over the past year, we have had an Athletic Trainer position,” King said. “However, due to our current financial situation, we will no longer be able to have this position.”

The next school board meeting, which will be streamed online, is set for Thursday, June 29 at 5:30 PM in Annex Room 305 at Coupeville High School (501 South Main).

The cuts will not be on the agenda, as they are not proposals, but part of an ongoing plan already approved by the board.

There is a public comment option, however, with a total of 15 minutes allotted for community members to speak in person.

Individual speakers are allowed three minutes, with the board restricting “public comment related to specific personnel issues.”

 

To see the budget cuts in full, pop over to:

https://www.coupeville.k12.wa.us/Page/300

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“She truly cares about these students”

Posted in budget cuts, tagged , , , , on May 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Jessica Caselden (left) and Mandi Black, proud, hard-working Wolf alumni. (Photo courtesy Black)

The community is united.

While understanding budget cuts may be necessary as Coupeville schools deal with financial issues, a proposal to cut the athletic trainer position at the high school/middle school has been met with resounding opposition.

The latest to offer their thoughts on the matter is cheer team advisor/school nurse Jenne Morrell, who, like CHS Athletic Trainer Jessica Caselden, is a Wolf alumnus.

 

Last year Coupeville School District made a change, a big change.

We added a licensed athletic trainer to our high school athletic program!

For the first time, our students had access to real-time diagnosis, treatment, and injury prevention.

This may not seem like a big deal, but, for our athletes, this has been a game changer.

Let me explain why.

Many of our athletes are not able to access healthcare in a timely manner.

This can be the result of many factors.

They may not have a healthcare provider that they see regularly, and if they do, it is very difficult to schedule appointments for athletes due to injury timing.

We love our Island, but these injuries and games all occur after hours and clinics are not open.

If an athlete is lucky enough to be able to access an urgent care clinic the wait times are hours and hours.

Many families are not able to miss work to sit in a clinic for hours waiting to be seen.

This means that in the past our athletes have often not sought care for injuries that begin as minor but progress to serious injuries when left untreated.

How many of you are aware of the number of high school athletes that have surgery for an injury that if properly treated could have been managed without surgical intervention?

These injuries will affect our athletes for the rest of their lives.

If we do not have the option to send injured students to see an athletic trainer our athletes will pay the price with their future mobility.

By providing access to an athletic trainer, we are prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of our athletes.

If they learn now how to care for their bodies properly, they will be prepared to live long, healthy, active lives.

Athletic trainers bridge the gap between students and healthcare in partnership with the school nurses we have on campus.

Together this creates a link, serving as a patient advocate for our athletes, many of whom will not regularly see any other healthcare provider.

Being able to have someone who can diagnose concussions and injuries leads to early intervention and enhances recovery.

I personally have learned so much from Jessie; she truly has a special gift with these athletes and there is no other individual on our campus that can provide the care and treatment she does.

She is dedicated and has never said no to any request, even when these requests cut into her personal time.

She treated my cheerleaders without a second thought even though they are not part of the athletic program.

Every time she is consulted, she provides care with a smile and truly cares about these students.

I would love to have the data for the number of taped ankles and student visits she has completed on and off the field.

If you were to divide that number by 10k you would see what a bargain our athletic trainer position truly is.

Not to mention the fact that she taught managers and students to also tape athletes.

Students who had never thought about pursuing a career in healthcare are now seeking out healthcare as an occupation.

Her sports med classes have provided experiences that have never been offered in our district.

As a district that strives to prepare every student for their future, we really need to look at providing our students with the tools they need to keep their bodies strong and healthy.

Removing this position is a step in the wrong direction and will have a profoundly negative impact on our students.

Let’s get creative and see how we can allow this position to remain in our high school.

Sincerely,

Jenne Morrell BSN, CSN

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“I am grateful to have her at Coupeville”

Posted in budget cuts, tagged , , , , on May 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Jessica Caselden (second from right), a vital part of a strong group of life-long female friends who came out of Coupeville schools and are now giving back. (Photo courtesy Kassie O’Neil)

Support for Jessica Caselden continues to roll in.

As Coupeville Schools administrators debate proposed budget cuts — including removing Caselden’s Athletic Trainer position — public debate is at a fever pitch.

The following is a letter from Michelle Armstrong, a Wolf Mom who is highly active in community work with the Brandon Graham Foundation.

 

Coupeville School Board and Mr. Steve King,

I am writing this letter regarding the proposed cut to the athletic training position and what a negative impact this could have on the student athletes, parents, and community, if you cut her position as the athletic trainer.

Jessica Caselden plays a vital role not only in the classroom but also on the sidelines.

I am grateful to have her at Coupeville.

I have been at the school while my girls were practicing and seen Ms. Caselden in the weight room wrapping athletes ankles before practice and games.

Also working with athletes on strengthening exercises to help with their ankle injury or knee injury.

Having the athletes do the exercises is key to their recovery.

I am grateful for her because I know what it is like to miss work to go to physical therapy.

Physical therapy twice a week, times that by 4-6 weeks, adds up.

Also adds up when you have co-pays and take time off work to take your child to physical therapy appointments.

With Jessica at the school, she has made sure to follow up with the students and their injury.

Over this past school year my daughter was able to go to Ms. Caselden to get her ankles wrapped before games and asked for different exercises for her ankles and hamstrings.

Ms. Caselden has not only helped my daughter, but I know she has helped so many others.

Parents who have had injured children I am sure are thankful their child had Jessica to help with their recovery.

Having sports for my child has helped her keep her grades up and gives her motivation to keep pushing forward.

Thank you, Jessica, teachers, and coaches who have played a vital role for these student athletes.

I promise you they will remember 20 years from now who believed in them and kept pushing them to do those exercises and fighting to keep positions.

Board members and Mr. King, my proposal to you, can you educate the parents more about where your funding comes from?

Some may not know that filling out the free and reduced lunch forms are vital to school districts, or the military forms are vital to the budget.

Thank you,

Mrs. Armstrong

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