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Posts Tagged ‘Geoff Kappes’

Dan Berard

Less than two weeks after the resignation of Coupeville High School/Middle School Principal Geoff Kappes, Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood has announced the tentative hiring of Dan Berard as his replacement.

The hire is not official until approved by the school board.

Because of a recent restructuring of job duties, the new hire is not a straight replacement for Kappes.

Instead, Berard, who has spent the last 27 years in the Mount Vernon School District, is being hired as the high school principal and Career and Technical Education Director.

A second new hire, yet to be announced, will come on as middle school principal and CHS/CMS Athletic Director.

Pending board approval, Berard is set to start July 1.

“Mr. Berard was selected through a comprehensive process that included a panel interview with 11 staff members, a student-led tour with questions developed by our students, and opportunities for staff observation and feedback,” Leatherwood said in a community newsletter sent out Sunday afternoon.

“This thorough approach helped us identify a candidate who closely aligns with the qualities our community indicated were most important in our principal search survey.”

Berard is currently the Executive Director of Operations for the Mount Vernon School District, a role he has held for the past 10 months.

He has previously worked as a teacher, middle school principal, assistant principal, dean of students, and athletic director, starting in Mount Vernon schools in 1998.

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Shannon Leatherwood is reshaping the administration in the Coupeville School District.

Or at least that’s the plan as detailed in a letter sent out Tuesday by the first-year superintendent.

In the wake of Middle School/High School Principal Geoff Kappes resigning, Leatherwood announced plans to replace both him and former Assistant Principal Allyson Cundiff with employees who will fill multiple positions.

Her letter:

Dear Coupeville School District Families, Students, and Community Members,

I am writing to share important information regarding leadership changes at our middle and high schools.

Yesterday, Geoff Kappes resigned from his position as middle/high school principal.

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.

We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

As we move forward, we are taking this opportunity to carefully evaluate how our administrative structure can best support student success.

Our focus remains on creating the most positive, engaging, and effective learning environment possible for all Coupeville students.

We are excited to announce that we will be implementing a new leadership structure that will provide more focused attention to both our middle and high schools while strengthening key programs:

Middle School Principal/Athletic Director: We will be hiring a dedicated Middle School Principal who will also serve as the Athletic Director for our 6-12 athletic programs.

This position will ensure strong leadership for our middle school students during these critical developmental years while building a cohesive athletic program across all grade levels.

High School Principal/CTE Director: We will be hiring a High School Principal who will also serve as the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Director for grades 6-12.

This position will provide focused leadership for our high school while strengthening career pathways and real-world learning opportunities for all students.

This restructured approach will allow us to provide enhanced leadership in key areas while remaining fiscally responsible.

In fact, these changes have been designed to generate cost savings for the district while improving services to students.

Community input is essential as we select our new school leaders.

This week, we will be distributing surveys to families, students, and community members to gather your perspectives on the qualities and characteristics you believe are most important in our next school leaders.

We will also be forming interview teams that include parent and community representatives to participate in the selection process.

Information about how to express interest in serving on these teams will be coming soon.

Throughout this transition, our commitment to providing an excellent education for every student remains unchanged.

Our dedicated teachers and staff continue to focus on creating engaging learning experiences and supporting student growth.

We are confident that this transition will continue to strengthen our schools and enhance the educational experience for all students.

We appreciate your continued support of Coupeville schools and look forward to partnering with you as we move forward together.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Shannon Leatherwood
Superintendent
Coupeville School District

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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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Coupeville basketball is on the rise. (Photo courtesy Taylor Little)

Survive and thrive.

Winning four of five games, the Coupeville SWISH boys’ basketball team claimed 4th place this weekend in the 7th grade division at the 33rd annual Tulip Basketball Tournament.

The event, hosted by Skagit County Parks and Recreation, featured 30 games in the 7th grade division between Friday and Sunday.

The Wolves, coached by Geoff Kappes, opened with a 38-29 win over the Southside Bombers.

Coupeville kept the hot streak going by bouncing Friday Harbor 40-21, before absorbing its only loss in a 40-28 defeat to Mount Vernon, which finished 3rd in the tourney.

Bouncing right back, the Wolves closed their tourney run with a 44-37 win over Lakewood and a 47-37 defeat of the Bellingham Sonics.

“Arguably the best these kids have ever played,” said Wolf Mom Taylor Little. “Great coaching, great playing, and teamwork.

“Coach Kappes is amazing with them. He is an amazing leader and knows how to get kids set up to succeed.”

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One of two Coupeville High School/Middle School administrators placed on a “non-disciplinary leave pending an investigation” in December is returning to work, but the other one remains missing in action.

Allyson Cundiff, who was the CHS/CMS Assistant Principal, will be back with the district Thursday, but in “a new capacity.”

A letter sent to parents Wednesday by Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood says Cundiff will “be helping with various administrative tasks that support our school buildings and student needs.”

The letter to parents does not address the status of CHS/CMS Principal Geoff Kappes, who has been on the same leave since Dec. 16.

Leatherwood states that interim principal Springy Yamasaki “continues to serve as principal.”

“While I don’t have any additional information to share at this time, I want to reassure you that our primary focus remains on providing a quality education and supporting the success of each student in our care,” the letter concludes.

District officials have not commented publicly on any aspect of the situation, though the Whidbey News-Times did publish this story:

‘Minority Rape Cult’ has consequences for administrators, students at Coupeville schools

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