Proposed Coupeville School District budget cuts include removing one of the most respected Athletic Directors in the state and giving his job duties to an already-overworked Assistant Principal — whose hours would also be cut. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
The first shots have been fired in the Budget Cut Wars.
This past Thursday, the Coupeville School Board approved, on a 4-1 vote, the Modified Education Plan, which allows for reducing staff and programs to cover a financial shortfall.
Sherry Phay voted against the plan, while Christie Sears, Nancy Conard, Alison Perera, and Morgan White voted in favor, though not without varying degrees of resistance.
That plan can be read in full here:
Click to access Modified%20Education%20Plan%204-27-23%20.pdf
Friday, Coupeville Schools Superintendent Steve King was passed over when Lakewood filled that same job.
King was one of three finalists for the position, with Dr. Erin Murphy, currently Deputy Superintendent of the Bainbridge Island School District, being tabbed.
Monday King sent an email to school district employees detailing the beginning of his proposed cuts.
That letter, in full, is reprinted here:
Hello Coupeville,
I hope you all enjoyed the weekend!
On Thursday, April 27, the board approved our Modified Education Plan, which means we are moving forward with our budget reduction plans.
For a reminder of our process and the Modified Education Plan, please see the CSD message sent on April 25.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xCri9xgPej1Xe2pOjl8AIABE8T_EVRUDVgoEuMIEf60/edit
Today I am writing to announce our initial budget reductions, and the majority of these reductions are from category one of the Modified Education Plan, which includes Administrators, Directors, and Non-Represented staffing.
The staff members in this category have worked collaboratively with me and our Finance Director, Denise Peet, to retain staff positions and programs.
No Cost of Living or Inflationary Adjustments:
All staff members in this category have agreed not to take the state Inflationary Adjustments for the 23-24 school year, which would be an increase of 3.7%.
This will save the school district approximately $77,000.
Special Services Director Reduction in Days:
Allyson Cundiff, our Special Services Director, is dedicated to our district, and her work is vital.
Director Cundiff has been willing to do what she can to continue her great work on behalf of students and staff.
She has voluntarily agreed to take a reduction in days from 208 to 200.
Secondary Assistant Principal Reduction in Days:
Leonard Edlund, our Secondary Assistant Principal, is also very dedicated to our district, and the work and position are necessary to run the secondary campus.
Mr. Edlund has also been willing to do whatever he can to continue in the position and serve our students and staff.
He has voluntarily agreed to take a reduction in days from 216 to 200.
The reduction in days of these two positions will save the school district approximately $33,000.
Food Service Director Reduction in Days:
Chef Andreas (Wurzrainer) has provided essential services to our district over the past few years and is willing to do what he can to reduce spending and retain programs, including our Connected Food Program for students.
Therefore, he has also voluntarily agreed to take a reduction in days from 212 to 202.
Maintenance & Transportation Director Reduction:
In the spring of 2021, Maintenance Director Scott Losey voluntarily took over supervision of transportation.
This was due to the district eliminating the position to reduce expenditures. Mr. Losey has been paid a yearly stipend since the summer of 2021.
To further reduce spending in this area and to allow Mr. Losey to focus on Capital Projects, he has volunteered to no longer supervise transportation.
Therefore, the district will no longer pay a stipend for the position.
The Superintendent will now become the supervisor of the transportation department as part of his regular duties.
These two director position reductions will save the school district approximately $28,000.
School Accountant Days & Hours Reduction:
Our School District Accountant, Eyleen Uculmana, has done wonderful work for us this year.
Ms. Uculmana has volunteered to take a reduction in days from 260 to 225 and also take a reduction of 1.0 hours per day.
Her position is considered a non-represented position.
District Non-Represented Staff Days Reduction:
The other three non-represented staff positions in the district office are all important.
Each of these staff members has been working with the district to find ways to reduce expenses.
They have all agreed to reduce their days from 260 to 250.
The impact of this reduction will mean that the district office will have more days of being closed during the winter break and also spring break.
These non-represented reductions will save the school district approximately $42,000.
Athletic Director Duties Re-assigned to Secondary Administration:
Our current Athletic Director, Willie Smith, has done an outstanding job leading our athletic department and building strong programs for our students.
However, we must find ways to reduce our leadership and director model while retaining current programs for students.
Therefore, Mr. Smith will become a full-time teacher, and Mr. Edlund will take over the duties of Athletic Director.
Mr. (Geoff) Kappes and Mr. Edlund will have to adjust their work and supervision of students and staff to give Mr. Edlund the time to provide adequate leadership for athletics.
This change saves the district money for the athletic director stipend and provides an additional three teaching periods for students, providing extra savings and benefits to the district.
This reduction saves the district approximately $15,600 as it is being absorbed by secondary administration.
This initial announcement of reduction totals in Administration, Supervisory, and Non-Represented staff total $195,600 of the $225,000 maximum reductions authorized by the board-approved Modified Education Plan.
This leaves the potential for an additional $29,400 of cuts in this category if necessary.
To see a more detailed spreadsheet of current reductions in all categories, please see our Tracked Budget Reductions Spreadsheet —
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KuW32IJlfEbS8fxtTZHu12pq3lUdqxiri-eyU6Dcvdk/edit#gid=0.
A more extensive list of reductions by category will be shared after the district works through reductions with staff and as we go through our 23-24 budgeting process.
You will see in this document that we have already reduced our budget by $790,100 and that the maximum total of reductions currently approved by the board is $1,450,000.
This means we have already made over 54% of the reductions we are authorized to make.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or one of our Budget Committee** members.
Thank you,
Steve King, Superintendent
**Budget Committee (Spring 2023)**
Kathy Bayne — CES (CEA)
Aimee Bishop — Open Den (CESA)
David Ford — Community Member
Shelly LaRue — CES (CESA)
Ericka Locklear — CES (CEA)
Cassidy Patnoe — CHS (CEA)
Denise Peet — Business Director
Wilbur Purdue — CMS (CEA)
Willie Smith — CMHS (CEA)
Lisa Yoder — CMS (CESA)
Coupeville Sports 