COUPEVILLE: Schools announce budget cuts (WNT)

David Svien reports for the Whidbey News-Times regarding budget cuts at the Coupeville School District.

The newest round of budget cuts in the Coupeville School District affects paraeducators and the farm manager, while eliminating the dean of students position.

The Coupeville School Board, in a 4-1 vote April 27, adopted a “Modified Education Plan” which instructs Superintendent Steve King to reduce expenditures by up to $1.45 million in the 2023-2024 school year.

The district has updated its list of cuts on its website three times, with the most recent tweaks hitting the internet Wednesday, June 21.

As of May 1, there were $790,100 in cuts. That figure went to $928,000 on May 15, then jumped to $1.27 million in the most-recent update.

They Said It

“Unfortunately, these difficult decisions have led us to cut [the the dean of students position held by Tom Black] on the secondary campus,” Superintendent Steve King said in an email Thursday. “Mr. Black is deeply respected by students and staff alike; we recognize this is a significant loss. Our administrators will adjust to absorb the daily support previously provided by Mr. Black, including increasing student supervision time.”

“The work of the school farm and its benefits for student learning and engagement is important to keep in place for the district,” King said. “Kylie Neal, who has been doing amazing work as our Farm Manager, has resigned as she is relocating. The district plans to continue the position for the 23-24 school year, but it will be funded by grants and not from the district general fund.”

“To save as many positions and jobs as possible, we will be reducing our para daily hours,” King said. “This will allow paras to still be at work during the entire time students are on campus, including some before and after school supervision.”

“Based on our past experience when students received free breakfast and lunch we anticipate a significant increase in revenues with a less significant rise in expenses,” King said. “We are currently projecting that this will be a reduction of at least $60,000 to the annual district contribution to the Connected Food Program.”

Ed. Note: A longer version of this article originally appeared at Mr. Svien’s blog, Coupeville Sports, on Jun. 22, 2023.

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