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Archive for the ‘Everything changes’ Category

Sherman stepping down as AD

Posted in Everything changes, tagged , , , , on April 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Brad Sherman is stepping down as AD but will remain at his alma mater as head boys’ basketball coach. (Jackie Saia photo)

A spring of change has reached the executive office.

On the heels of Coupeville High School losing its volleyball and boys’ soccer coaches, Athletic Director Brad Sherman has announced he is stepping down at the end of the school year.

The popular leader, who is in his first year on the job, will remain as a teacher and head boys’ basketball coach.

Sherman and wife Abbey have four young sons, and finding a proper family balance is driving the decision to pass on the AD position to someone else.

“When I stepped in, I had seen myself doing this for many years to come,” Sherman said. “But I need to find a better balance for my young family right now.

“We have four boys ages 10 and under who are growing up fast. As we juggle their growing schedules during this season of life, I need to step away to be more present in these years ahead.”

Through the remainder of the year, and in the time after, Sherman will continue to do the upmost to help CHS and its students.

“I remain committed to Coupeville athletics through the boys basketball program entering my ninth season, in addition to working with young athletes through my own kids youth programs,” he said.

“I’m inspired daily by the team of coaches we have in Coupeville and how hard they work for student-athletes.

“I’m inspired by our athletes – who work so hard and represent the Wolf uniform the way they do, so consistently. And I’m grateful for the community we live in that supports our programs at every turn.

“I will continue to help our programs however I can – I just need to do it in a different capacity than I did this year.”

Sherman, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, is the oldest of Don and Deb’s three sons.

He was part of the CHS Class of 2003 and put together a stellar prep career as a basketball, football, and baseball player.

His 874 points on the hardwood still ranks #9 all-time for a Wolf hoops program which began in 1917.

That’s a program Sherman has led since 2017, with Coupeville advancing to the state tourney in both 2022 and 2024.

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CHS Principal resigns

Posted in Everything changes, tagged , , , on April 15, 2025| Leave a Comment »

CHS/CMS Principal Geoff Kappes has stepped down. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Coupeville High School/Middle School Principal Geoff Kappes, who has been out since late last year, has resigned his position.

“After careful consideration I have decided to resign as principal of CMHS,” he said in a statement.

“Thank you for allowing me to serve as your principal.

“It has been such a privilege to witness our children grow and flourish,” he added. “Every day, I have been inspired by their determination and kindness.

“Watching them develop into thoughtful, capable young adults has been the most rewarding aspect of my role.”

Kappes, who has been a teacher, coach, and administrator during two tours of duty in Coupeville schools, was part of a team which helped the district make it successfully through the pandemic.

He and wife Christie, a teacher at the high school, have two sons who attend Coupeville schools, and the family has been at the forefront of community activity.

While his next job will be someplace else, Geoff Kappes said he has been greatly impacted by his time in Wolf Nation.

“The academic achievements, artistic performances, athletic successes, and acts of service I’ve witnessed have reinforced my belief in the extraordinary potential of Coupeville kids,” he said.

“I will carry the memories of my time here with me always and I wish you the best of luck.”

Geoff Kappes and CHS/CMS Assistant Principal Allyson Cundiff were placed on “non-disciplinary leave pending an investigation” Dec. 16, though district officials declined to say why.

A records request by the Whidbey News-Times surfaced documents related to the handling of two incidents.

One involved a “club” which made social media posts threatening sexual assault of ethnic minority individuals, and one involved the sharing of a video allegedly depicting an off-campus assault.

Records show three students were expelled while others received suspensions in relation to the two unrelated incidents.

Cundiff was brought back in “a new capacity” Mar. 19, with Coupeville Schools Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood saying Cundiff would “be helping with various administrative tasks that support our school buildings and student needs.”

In a statement Tuesday, Leatherwood indicated the district intends to “implement a new leadership structure” while thanking Kappes for his work.

“We sincerely appreciate his many years of dedicated service and the positive impact he has made on students and our school community during his tenure,” she wrote.

“We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

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Jamar Jenkins retires

Posted in Everything changes, tagged , , , , on January 26, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Jamar Jenkins (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

After a 20+ year run with Coupeville Schools, Jamar Jenkins is retiring.

That move is listed on the consent agenda for the Jan. 30 school board meeting and will be effective at the end of the school year.

Jenkins, who was originally hired as the Coupeville High School/Middle School music teacher and band director in 2003, has been teaching music at the elementary school this year.

He was placed on paid administrative leave last year, with district officials declining to offer more clarity at the time.

The secondary music program was then eliminated in a round of budget cuts.

Before becoming a teacher in Coupeville, Jenkins, a graduate of the University of Washington, compiled an extensive history as a professional musician.

He came up through the Seattle funk scene in the 1970’s and was one of the founders of the band Cold, Bold, and Together, originally known as Funk Experience.

That group, which later introduced the world to Kenny G, was together from 1971-1978 and opened for Canned Heat, Kool & the Gang, KC & the Sunshine Band, and Earth, Wind & Fire among others.

After band members opted to move on to different projects as disco swept the nation, Jenkins went to college, got married and fathered children, and moved into teaching music.

He had teaching stints in Tacoma and Los Angeles before moving to Whidbey Island, where his wife, Allenda, grew up in Oak Harbor.

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Coupeville Schools lose a gem

Posted in Everything changes, tagged , , , on October 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

No matter the year, Eileen Stone (right) always has a smile big enough to warm the entire prairie. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

She has been the warm, welcoming face of Coupeville Schools for almost a quarter century.

But now that is changing, as Eileen Stone has tendered her resignation, effective Jan. 6.

Stone, whose children Andre and Makana both graduated from CHS, has worked in the district for 24 years and is currently employed as the registrar.

She and husband Josh both graduated from Oak Harbor High School.

As she prepares to exit from the frontlines, Stone, among the kindest and most beloved employees in the district, offered her own thanks.

“It has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity of volunteering and working in all capacities of this school district with such amazing individuals that I have developed forever friendships,” she said.

“I will always hold Coupeville Elementary, Middle, and High School close to my heart and look forward to and hope to continue being a part of this school community.”

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Camp Casey changes owners after seven decades

Posted in Everything changes, tagged , , , , on October 26, 2024| Leave a Comment »

A local institution is changing owners after almost 70 years, but otherwise, things are expected to remain virtually the same.

Seattle Pacific University publicly announced Friday it entered a purchase and sale agreement with the YMCA of Snohomish County in September to sell the Camp Casey Conference Center and Fort Casey Inn.

The change becomes effective Jan. 1, 2025.

SPU has owned the property since purchasing it in 1956.

Camp Casey served “as an extension of Seattle Pacific’s educational mission and character formation through hosting classes and retreats as well as serving external groups like sport camps, churches, (and) educational groups,” SPU officials said in a statement,

As part of the announcement, SPU also released a FAQ list covering topics such as whether current reservations will be honored, what happens to the Camp Casey staff, and why the sale was made.

To read those, pop over to:

https://spu.edu/about-spu/news/camp-casey-faq?fbclid=IwY2xjawGKAXpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHb2XjgsWr6nEf7N6coehLHxnveH-8D-Ae80YUVMH4J_nDGgKp3_cnX5N_A_aem_rRl62eKKpZcZbhreEzNdIw

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