Coupeville Sports

School athletic fees likely to increase

June 24, 2023 by David Svien

Athletic fees for Coupeville athletes will be hiked, if the school board agrees. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

You’ll soon be paying more for your kids to play.

If approved by the school board at its meeting June 29, Coupeville High School and Middle School will hike athletic fees beginning this fall.

It’s the first raise in more than a decade, school officials say, and necessary to compensate for increases in costs.

Under the new plan, the price to play a sport at CMS will jump from $50 to $75, while high school athletes will go from paying $75 to $110.

A memo from CHS Assistant Principal Leonard Edlund says the change should bring the district an additional $15,000.

The proposal is included in the consent agenda for the school board meeting and needs approval from a majority of the five directors to be put into action.

That meeting is set for Thursday, June 29 at 5:30 PM in the Anderson Board Room in Annex 307 at Coupeville High School.

Public comment is allowed, with community members granted three minutes apiece.

The comment portion of the meeting comes AFTER the consent agenda is adopted.

However, a school board director may request an action from the consent agenda be moved to the end of the meeting and opened to discussion by board members before being approved or denied.

Posted in Everything changes | Tagged athletic fees, cash money, Coupeville School Board, Leonard Edlund | Leave a Comment »

“Mr. Black is NEEDED at that school”

June 23, 2023 by David Svien

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.

Posted in budget cuts | Tagged budget cuts, CHS Wolves, Coupeville High School, Steve King, Tom Black | 6 Comments »

“I will forever be grateful for him”

June 22, 2023 by David Svien

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.

Posted in budget cuts | Tagged budget cuts, CHS Wolves, Lily Leedy, Tom Black | 4 Comments »

Budget cuts affect paraeducators, Dean of Students

June 22, 2023 by David Svien

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

Posted in budget cuts | Tagged bottled water, budget cuts, Coupeville School District, Steve King, Tom Black | Leave a Comment »

Lippo hits a homer in classroom

June 21, 2023 by David Svien

Joey Lippo can hurt you with his bat, or a pencil. (Photo courtesy Connie Lippo)

He’s batting .1000.

Coupeville grad Joey Lippo made the All-Academic team for the North Atlantic Conference twice during the 2022-2023 school year, honored for his classroom work during both the golf and baseball seasons.

A junior at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, the former Wolf is studying agricultural science and agribusiness.

To be eligible for the academic honor, a student had to notch a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0.

The NAC puts out two All-Academic Teams, one in the fall, and one in the spring, with the second one covering winter sports as well.

Lippo, who earned the Stanley H. Small Coach’s Award for his play on the field this spring, led the Owl baseball squad in runs (22), triples (2), and walks (12), while being one of five players to appear in all 35 games.

The former CHS star was second on UMPI in batting average (.295), at-bats (122), hits (36), total bases (46), and home runs (1), and third in OPS (.735), doubles (3), slugging percentage (.377), and stolen bases (6).

Normally an outfielder for the Owls, Lippo also made three appearances as a pitcher this season, whiffing four hitters in 11+ innings of work.

During his time in Coupeville, Joey, whose twin sister Skyy is pursuing a successful dance career, played tennis, basketball, and baseball for the Wolves.

Posted in Baseball, Wolves in college | Tagged academic honors, baseball, CHS Wolves, Joey Lippo, University of Maine at Presque Isle | Leave a Comment »

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