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Archive for the ‘school board’ Category

School Board Director resigns

Posted in school board, tagged , , , , on October 24, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Glenda Merwine

Coupeville students are losing a tireless advocate.

Glenda Merwine, who has been on the school board since 2013, is leaving a year before her term ends.

Her resignation was tendered at Monday’s board meeting and is effective Dec. 1.

Merwine’s replacement, when named, will serve out her term, with the position up for election in 2023.

Initially appointed to replace the departing Carol Bishop in Jan. 2013, Merwine formerly served as the Coupeville Elementary School principal and the district’s Director of Student Learning.

A leadership coach for the Association of Washington School Principals, she also supervises student teachers for Seattle Pacific University and the University of Phoenix.

Merwine is the board’s current Vice President.

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Steele tabbed as school board student rep

Posted in school board, tagged , , , , on December 15, 2021| 1 Comment »

Maylin Steele is the new student rep to the Coupeville School Board. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Kyle Nelson is still the power behind the throne.

His Coupeville High School girls soccer program landed a second-straight student rep to the school board, with Maylin Steele approved Wednesday to replace the departing Mary Milnes.

Steele, a current CHS junior who’s carrying a 3.5 GPA, will serve a one-year term.

Born and raised in Coupeville, she joins new directors Morgan White and Nancy Conard, who fill out a school board which includes Christine Sears, Sherry Phay, and Glenda Merwine.

In her application letter, Steele, who is a goalkeeper for the CHS soccer squad, expressed a desire to represent all of her fellow students.

“I’m interested in this position because I think proper advocacy for the student body, especially the silent members of our community, is essential,” she wrote.

In their letters of recommendation, two Coupeville teachers spoke highly of Steele.

“Maylin is a bright, affable, and concerned young woman,” wrote science teacher Colleen Fox.

“She is passionate about many things in her world, and is empowered to ask good questions, and participate in meaningful discussions.”

Fox’s words were echoed by visual arts instructor Tacy Bigelow.

“Attention to detail and a diligent focus wrapped in a cloak of sunshine, Maylin possesses the very qualities needed to be an excellent student body rep.

“Inclusive in her approach, Maylin is inviting and warm to everyone in her sphere of influence,” Bigelow added.

“Once you are on her “team,” she gives 110% and follows through on her promises.”

Steele in action on the soccer pitch.

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SW School Board Director resigns

Posted in school board, tagged , , , , on December 9, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Damian Greene

Damian Greene, the lone conservative voice on the South Whidbey School Board, is resigning after a decade of service.

In a letter to the Board of Directors, he indicated his resignation is effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Greene, whose family came to Island County in 1965, was elected to the school board three times.

His run included being part of the board when it earned Washington State’s Distinguished Board award in 2016.

Earlier this year, Greene threatened to take legal action against a South Whidbey youth activism organization after a Facebook post alleged he and his wife, Maureen, could be involved in the theft of a Black Lives Matter banner from South Whidbey High School.

Both Greenes denied any involvement.

While Damian Greene consulted with a lawyer, no libel suit has been filed.

The 2021 election cemented his position as the lone conservative voice on the board.

Three challengers — Dawn Tarantino, Farrah Manning-Davis, and Bree Kramer-Nelson — all of whom publicly identify as conservatives, ran as a united group, but lost their races.

Incumbents Andrea Downs, Marnie Jackson, and Ann Johnson each pulled in between 68.21 and 69.78% of the votes.

 

Greene’s resignation letter:

 

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They’re bona fide!

Posted in politics, school board, tagged , , , , on November 23, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Morgan White and Nancy Conard’s election to the Coupeville School Board was certified Tuesday. (Photo courtesy White)

It’s 100% official.

The Island County Auditor’s office certified the general election Tuesday, and with that, the Coupeville School Board has two new members.

CHS grads Morgan White and Nancy Conard won contested races to fill open seats, while incumbent Sherry Phay, who was running unopposed, was elected to a second term.

The trio join Christine Sears and Glenda Merwine, with the new lineup scheduled to have its first meeting in December.

 

Final numbers:

 

Sherry Phay — 2,990 votes (100%)

 

Nancy Conard — 3,366 (74.08%)
Paul Rempa — 1,178

 

Morgan White — 3,104 (68.90%)
Ward Sparacio — 1,401

 

To see Island-wide results, pop over to:

Click to access Current_Results.pdf

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Thank you, Venessa

Posted in school board, tagged , , , , on November 22, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Venessa Matros

She made a real difference.

In every meeting, every action, every carefully thought-out word.

Venessa Matros, a Coupeville High School alumni who came back around to serve eight years on the school board, cares deeply about her community.

That has always shone through brightly, never more so than Monday, as she chaired her final meeting.

The election is certified Tuesday, and Nancy Conard and Morgan White will join the board, replacing Matros and Kathleen Anderson, who both opted not to run for re-election.

That meant Monday’s virtual meeting was the final one for the former Wolf student turned school leader, and she went out in style.

Matros made an eloquent defense for students being allowed freedom to leave campus at lunchtime.

She also battled through emotion as she described what her town, her school district, and her service to both, has meant for her.

It has always been personal for Matros, as she has worked tirelessly for her own daughters, and for the children of other Coupeville parents.

Our school district is better off for her efforts, for her dedication and unflagging spirit, and her commitment.

That came through in farewell comments from fellow board members Sherry Phay, Christine Sears, and Glenda Merwine, as well as Superintendent Steve King.

While Covid has sent board meetings online, preventing Matros from getting the full, public farewell she deserves, I hope she exits knowing how much her community appreciates her.

Thank you, Venessa, for all you gave, from all of us.

You made a difference. You made us proud.

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