SOUTH WHIDBEY: SWSD Navigator Newsletter (June 19, 2025)
Prior to every Board Meeting or Workshop, the South Whidbey School District posts a SWSD Navigator Newsletter on ParentSquare providing notice of School Board Meetings, what is happening in the District and updates in the schools. Click here to receive future issues. Ed. Note: We excerpt those portions of the SWSD Navigator pertinent to the activities of the school board. For the full contents of the current edition of the newsletter, click this link.
Board Corner
The board just finished up our goal-setting retreat, working with building and district administrators to set up goals for our new superintendent, Dr. Becky Clifford. We then discussed the goals at the board workshop, alongside a proposal from Island Roots Housing for their use of the Bayview School building, a report on interscholastic activities, and on the highly capable program.
At our meeting next week, we will vote on all of those measures, along with an agreement with South Whidbey Educators Association, another set of bonds to fund the improvements to our facilities that are starting right now, and a renewal of our agreement with Chartwells to provide food for our students. Finally, we will swear in Dr. Clifford and say farewell and thank you to Dr. Moccia.
On Wednesday, June 25, 2025 the South Whidbey School Board will have a Business Meeting followed by an Executive Session starting at 6:30pm via ZOOM WEBINAR and IN PERSON at the South Whidbey Elementary School Dr. Julie Hadden Community Board Room at 5380 Maxwelton Road, Langley.
Please click THIS LINK to join the webinar. Passcode: 234129 Webinar ID: 881 5979 3362
Future Meetings:
- July 9: Workshop and 25-26 Budget Presentation
- July 23: Public Hearing on the 25-26 Budget and Business Meeting
- August 27: Workshop and Business Meeting
— Brook WIlleford, Board Chair
Operations Updates
Construction Update
This week, the High School/Middle School bond construction began. The campus is off limits to the staff, students, and community. On June 17th, the MS/HS administrative staff moved to the South Campus as their temporary office. During the last week of August they will relocate back to MS/HS campus into the Cougar Den. Temporary office spaces will line the window side of the Cougar Den.
The Elementary School is seeing the start of excavation in preparation for the inclusive playground.
What can you expect?
The construction work will begin on the north side of campus (the school offices, SWA wing). Work will be focused on the roofing and exterior cladding. Here are some of the anticipated time lines:
- Total Roofing completion by September 15, 2026
- Total Building Envelope completion by December 31, 2026.
- Summer athletic practices will take place off campus. Please contact your coaches or Athletic Director John Sommer if you have any questions.
Roofing Process:
- safety steps
- demolition – roll back roof around the parapets, removing insulation, and existing materials.
- HVAC safety steps, removal for reuse
- Electrical removal
Building envelope Process:
- Safety – electrical, barriers, protections
- Removal and relocation – electrical, pumps, devices
- Cap storm drains
- Demolition – interior walls, concrete, sills and select GWB
- Excavation to footing
- Installation of electrical, pipes
- Installation of new masonry
- Installation of new siding
- Installation of devices
- Safety steps
Please email your MS/HS staff members if you have any questions. Please do not attempt to go into the campus at any time this summer.
On the Ballot in November 2025
| SOUTH WHIDBEY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 206 |
|---|
| Director, Position 2 Andrea Downs, the incumbent |
| Director, Position 5, At Large Ann Johnson, the incumbent Gwendy Gabelein |
