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Posts Tagged ‘Coupeville schools’

Food train fuels farm boy’s recovery

Posted in Fundraisers, tagged , , , , on June 13, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“Get that food in my mouth, son!!”

There ain’t no holdin’ down a farm boy!

Callum Flack, whose parents Kyle and Paige (Mueller) Flack are fourth-generation tillers of the Whidbey soil, was born at 41 weeks after a challenging labor, and entered the world with an underdeveloped lower jaw, making it difficult for him to breathe on his own.

But after a stay in the NICU at Seattle Children’s Hospital, the lil’ guy (and his luscious locks) has made the move to Coupeville to join his parents and two older brothers.

As the family adjusts to all the transitions, friends have launched a meal train to ease the burden.

The link for it can be found by hopping over to:

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/zmk7gy

Along with running Bell’s Farm with her husband, Paige, a plucky CHS basketball player back in the day, is the Program Director for the school district’s Farm to School program.

She was also previously the elementary school librarian in Cow Town.

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Coupeville Schools tab new Director of Technology

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , on May 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

One man, two school districts.

Mike Pruyne has been hired as the new Director of Technology for the Coupeville School District, pending school board approval, but he’ll split his time between Cow Town and its neighbor to the North.

That’s because he currently works for the Oak Harbor School District as their Assistant Director/Network.

Thanks to an interlocal agreement between the two districts, Pruyne will serve half time at each job.

“This arrangement gives our district access to experienced, dedicated technology leadership in a cost-effective and sustainable way — and is a great example of neighboring districts working together for the benefit of all students,” said Coupeville Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood.

Pruyne replaces Will Smith, who recently resigned after eight years on the job.

Like his predecessor, the new hire is a retired U.S. Navy veteran.

“Mike brings a wealth of experience to our community,” Leatherwood said. “He brings discipline, dedication, and deep expertise to everything he does — and we are fortunate to have him supporting our students, staff, and families.

“Mike will be working alongside our team to provide technology support across our district — from the devices and tools our students use every day to the systems that keep our schools running smoothly.

“Families can expect to hear more from Mike as he gets settled in and begins connecting with our school community.”

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Another CHS principal placed on administrative leave

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , on March 16, 2026| Leave a Comment »

For the second time in as many years, the Coupeville School District has placed a high-ranking administrator on paid leave pending an investigation or review.

Dan Berard, who has been the high school principal and Career and Technical Education Director since April 2025, announced in February he was stepping down from those positions at the end of the school year.

At the time, he said he would be transitioning to a different, as yet to be named, position within the district.

Monday, Coupeville Schools Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood released the following statement:

Berard replaced Geoff Kappes, who resigned as high school and middle school principal in April 2025.

He was placed on “non-disciplinary leave pending an investigation” by Leatherwood in Dec. 2024.

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“I’m grateful for every moment”

Posted in Not sports? Tough!, tagged , , , on February 24, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Deb Sherman hangs out with one of her grandkids at a basketball game a few years back. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

She came from the big city and built a vibrant life on the prairie where her husband’s family has lived for generations.

Along the way, Deb Sherman, who ran at the state cross country meet for Everett High School back in her Deb Dire days, has become forever linked to Coupeville.

This is where she and husband Don raised their three sons, this is where her countless grandchildren now frolic, this is where her kindness and joy have taken root.

When the school year ends, she is stepping away after 27 years of guiding Cow Town’s children, retiring from the teaching profession she has honored, and which has given her so much in return.

Not that she’s going away anytime soon, just that she won’t be in a classroom at the elementary school anymore, one of the best to ever do the job.

As she prepares for the transition, Mrs. Sherman offers a fervent farewell:

 

These years have been filled with moments I’ll carry with me forever.

I’ll never forget standing at a Coupeville parade a few years back, watching float after float go by filled with students in various sports and activities.

They were shouting, “Hello, Mrs. Sherman!” from every direction.

The woman standing next to me finally turned and asked, “Who are you?”

That’s when it hit me — in Coupeville, we teachers are rock stars.

At games, at community events, even in the grocery store, we’re recognized and valued in a way that’s rare and precious.

I will deeply miss that connection.

I’ll miss the kids who grew up before my eyes, the families who trusted me with their children, and the colleagues who became friends.

This community has given me far more than I could ever give back, and I’m grateful for every moment — the challenging ones that made me grow and the joyful ones that reminded me why I chose this profession.

Thank you for 27 years of support, laughter, and shared purpose.

While I’m ready for what comes next, leaving this small district family will be bittersweet.

With gratitude and warm regards,

Debra Sherman

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New admins join Coupeville Schools

Posted in Administration, tagged , , , , on February 9, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Stacy Larsen

The Coupeville School District is adding two new admins in the coming months.

Stacy Larsen will take over the role of Director of Business and Finance beginning in March, while Dr. Heather Ireland, Ed.D., is slated to begin as Director of Special Services in July.

The hirings were announced Monday in a community newsletter sent out by Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood and will be official once approved by the school board.

Larsen was most recently Vice President of Finance for Lighthouse Mission in Bellingham, where she “led organizational budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning while ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal financial regulations.”

Before that, she managed financial, administrative, and business operations at Living Word Church in Oak Harbor and was CFO and President of EXA Data & Mapping, Inc.

Larsen, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Western Washington University, was described by Leatherwood as being “highly adaptable, organized, and detail oriented.”

Dr. Heather Ireland

Ireland brings “29 years of experience in rural public education, with extensive expertise in special education, multilingual learner programs, and instructional integration.”

She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Washington State University, as well as having earned Superintendent and Principal certifications.

“Dr. Ireland specializes in Section 504 coordination, district assessment, IDEA compliance, and paraeducator support,” Leatherwood said.

“Her proven track record in maintaining strong alignment to district vision and ensuring both state and federal compliance makes her an excellent fit for our district.”

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