Coupeville Sports

With little fanfare and no public debate, the Coupeville School Board approved the budget for the 2024-2025 school year by a 5-0 vote Thursday night.

The $18.8 million budget eliminates, for now at least, the secondary musical program and the elementary school art program, both cuts which were previously announced.

A reduction in hours and workdays will also affect many departments.

Still, there was an air of positivity Thursday.

“This budget is balanced and projects that we will be able to restore a small percentage to the 6% reserve fund balance per board policy,” said Finance Director Brian Gianello.

While cuts are painful, board directors praised the work of Gianello and new Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood and stated their belief the district is making strides.

“We are heading in the right direction,” Nancy Conard said.

That was a feeling echoed by Sherry Phay, whose vote for the budget was her final act as a member of the board.

She has resigned and the board will begin the process to replace her, setting up a plan at its retreat in August, said President Morgan White.

Praised earlier in the evening by administrators, union officials, and community members for her dedication and unflinching support of school district employees, Phay exited with words of hope.

“It is extremely reassuring going forward and being able to vote on a budget you have confidence in,” she said.

As with all school districts, the budget process is a tricky one.

Projections are made for student enrollment — with those numbers remaining solid in Coupeville — but no one knows for sure how many bodies will be at desks until the doors actually open back up at the start of a new school year.

Also, financial support from the state has plunged, even as legislators pay lip service to the importance of funding education.

Coupeville, with a rock-solid record of levy and bond support, is in a better position than most, Gianello said.

But he cautioned the budget process is an ongoing one.

“Reductions are positively impacting the financials,” Gianello said. “But the fact that salary and benefits make up almost 87% of the budget indicates that this is not sustainable.

“Reductions will continue to be needed as we pursue a sustainable model/plan to accommodate the rising costs associated with staffing salary and benefits.”

To see the 213-page budget, pop over to:

Click to access F195_Entire_Budget_document.pdf

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