The WOLFPACK Family/Community News

Dear Coupeville School District Families,

As we move into the heart of November, I wanted to take a moment to share some wonderful highlights from our schools and provide important information about our upcoming February ballot measures.

Honoring Those Who Served

This week, our Veterans Day assemblies at the elementary, middle, and high schools were a tremendous honor for our entire community. The signs that lined our fences and streets paid great tribute to our veterans and their invaluable contributions to our nation. It was moving to see our students, staff, and families come together to recognize and thank those who have served.

Last week our Elementary Spotlight Night was standing room only! Mrs. McColl led the evening by sharing the mission and vision developed collaboratively by our staff, followed by a packed house of families who toured every classroom to view the wonderful displays of student work. The energy and engagement throughout the building was incredible, and it was a powerful reminder of the excellent teaching and learning happening every day in our schools.

I encourage all community members to take time to read and carefully review the facts about two levy renewals that will appear on the February 10, 2026 ballot. These are replacement levies for funding that our community last approved in 2022. It's important to understand that there are TWO separate propositions on the ballot:

This levy funds day-to-day operations in our schools that are not funded or are under-funded by the state. According to the official ballot language, this include additional funding for:

• Teachers, nurses, counselors, paraeducators, support staff
• Extracurricular programs
• Programs to bring students up to grade level
• Advanced classes for high-achieving students
• Supplemental athletics, arts, music, career and technical education
• Textbooks and instructional materials
• Improved access for students and staff with disabilities
• Continued maintenance of school buildings, playgrounds and playfields
• School safety, security and emergency preparedness

Levy Authorization Amounts:

• 2027: $3,955,000
• 2028: $4,168,000
• 2029: $4,392,000
• 2030: $4,725,000

Estimated Levy Rates (per $1,000 of assessed value):

• 2027: $0.78
• 2028: $0.75
• 2029: $0.72
• 2030: $0.71

This levy continues funding to ensure our students have access to secure facilities and modern learning opportunities. According to the official ballot language, this includes:

• Upgrading infrastructure, acquiring hardware, licensing software
• Implementing applications and providing staff training
• 1-to-1 student technology devices and staff devices
• Equipment and resources to support classroom instruction
• Safety and security cameras and communication systems
• Expansion of the District's technology backbone

Levy Authorization Amounts:

• 2027: $600,000
• 2028: $625,000
• 2029: $650,000
• 2030: $675,000

Estimated Levy Rates (per $1,000 of assessed value):

• 2027: $0.12
• 2028: $0.11
• 2029: $0.11
• 2030: $0.10

Together, these levies would have an estimated combined rate of $0.90 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2027. This is estimated to be an increase of approximately $110 per year on property with an assessed value of $500,000. Our current combined rate in 2025 is $0.80 per $1,000 of assessed value.

These are not new taxes but renewals of expiring levies that were last approved by our community in 2022. This funding stays in our community to support Coupeville students and is used at every school.

I encourage you to review the attached informational flyer and the complete explanatory statements that will appear on the ballot. You can also find more information at www.coupeville.k12.wa.us/levy.

Exemptions from taxes may be available by calling the Island County Assessor at 360-679-7303.

We encourage every voter to carefully review the facts and make an informed decision that they believe is best for our community and our students.

Thank you for your continued support of Coupeville School District.

The Coupeville Lions Club Students of the Quarter award honors two exceptional Coupeville High School seniors chosen by staff and teachers. This recognition celebrates students who exemplify leadership, character, effort, sportsmanship, community service, and academic excellence. This quarter, the honor goes to George Spear and Teagan Calkins. Congratulations, George and Teagan!

Teagan Calkins - Teagan has been involved in volleyball, basketball, and softball for all 4 years.

Her community and school service includes Lions Leo Club, Exec, Captain’s Club,

National Honor Society, working in the school library, and Race the Reserve as well as

the Green Team, an environmental club. She’s also been a volunteer Volleyball and

Basketball coach.

Teagan has worked as a nanny and her hobbies include club softball, puzzles,

refereeing sports and volunteering as a coach.

Her favorite subjects are Science, Math and Sports Medicine. She has an impressive

4.0 GPA. Her plans for the future include attending a 4 year university to pursue

Biomedical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.

George Spear-George has been involved in Cross Country, Track, ASB, Leos Club, a Library volunteer and National Honor Society. George is currently the President of the Coupeville High Leos Club.

George’s community service includes all the projects that the Leo’s Club participates in,

beach clean-up, food drives and he is a member of the Coupeville School District

Facilities Task Force.

He has worked in the catering business, as a farmhand at the Whidbey Equestrian

Center, and a pool attendant at the Sierra Country Club. His hobbies include Dungeons

and Dragons and reading.

George’s plans for the future are to either attend a United States Service academy or

attend college through the ROTC scholarship program and become a military officer.

His favorite subject is math, and he has a 3.959 GPA.

The students and their guests will be honored at the November 19, 2025 Coupeville

Lions Club meeting.

Throughout November, Coupeville Schools join communities across the country in honoring Native American Heritage Month — a time to honor the cultures, traditions, and histories of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

First recognized nationally in 1990, this month highlights the deep influence and lasting contributions of Indigenous peoples to the United States. It’s also a time to reflect on the strength and resilience of Native communities, acknowledge the challenges they have faced, and celebrate the stories, languages, and knowledge they continue to share.

Coupeville Schools are proud to recognize and celebrate this month of learning, reflection, and appreciation.

All middle school students who are interested in participating in athletics, whether it be this Winter season or during the school year, must sign up in Final Forms. Please click on the link HERE to register if you do not have an account. You may also log in at this link if you've already created an account.

Winter Season sports for middle school include: Boys & Girls Basketball. In order to participate, students must complete forms posted on Final Forms including emergency information, and an uploaded, current medical physical (physicals are generally good for two years). Fees for sports are as follows and may be paid to Ms. Rosalie Fix in the middle school office.

(If you qualify for free or reduced programs, fees may be waived. You will find an additional form in Final Forms to complete this process.)

Holiday House North is back to provide gifts for Christmas to Coupeville families! If you need assistance signing up, please contact abumgarner@coupeville.k12.wa.us or 262-528-3774.

¡Holiday House North regresa para brindar regalos de Navidad a las familias de Coupeville! Si necesita ayuda para inscribirse, comuníquese con abumgarner@coupeville.k12.wa.us o al 262-528-3774.

Food Assistance for Families In our community, some families are experiencing reduced income and food assistance. These circumstances have created immediate food insecurity for many of our neighbors—including families with children in our schools. If your income has changed or you are at-risk of losing food benefits, you are encouraged to complete a Child Nutrition Eligibility and Educational Benefits application to qualify your student for free breakfasts and lunches at school. Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year.

Asistencia alimentaria para familias En nuestra comunidad, algunas familias están experimentando una reducción de ingresos y de la asistencia alimentaria. Estas circunstancias han generado una inseguridad alimentaria inmediata para muchos de nuestros vecinos, incluyendo familias con niños en nuestras escuelas. Si sus ingresos han cambiado o corre el riesgo de perder los beneficios de alimentación, le recomendamos completar una solicitud de Elegibilidad para Nutrición Infantil y Beneficios Educativos para que su hijo/a pueda recibir desayunos y almuerzos gratuitos en la escuela. Las solicitudes se pueden presentar en cualquier momento del año escolar.

How to Apply for Free Student Breakfast and Lunch:

Printed Applications: Available at the front desk of every school and District office. Print Your Own from the Coupeville School District website Online Application: The applications are available online in Qmlativ Family Access. You only need to fill out one application for all of the members of your family. Watch this short video on how to apply through Qmlativ.

List Cómo solicitar desayuno y almuerzo gratuitos para estudiantes:

Solicitudes impresas: Disponibles en la recepción de cada escuela y en la oficina del distrito. Imprime el tuyo propio desde Sitio web del distrito escolar de Coupeville Solicitud en línea: Las solicitudes ya están disponibles en línea en Acceso familiar Qmlativ. Solo necesitas completar una solicitud para todos los miembros de tu familia. Mira este video sobre cómo presentar la solicitud a través de Qmlativ.

Food resources for Central Whidbey:

• Meals2Kids (Weekend Meal Bag Program) for Coupeville Students through Gifts from the Heart Food Bank; bags can be provided every Friday upon request at all campuses.

Contact Arianna Bumgarner, 262-528-3774 (text/call) or abumgarner@coupeville.k12.wa.us for more information.

Coupeville:

• Gifts from the Heart, 203 N. Main St., 360-672-5502 ** Open 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 2-5 PM
• Oak Harbor: North Whidbey Help House, 1091 SE Hathaway St, 360-675-0681
• South Whidbey: Good Cheer Food Bank, 2812 Grimm Rd, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-6454

Resources for Military & Government Employees:

• Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) - Local resource navigation and support Military OneSource - Additional financial and basic needs support for military personnel and their families

Recursos alimentarios para Central Whidbey:

• Programa de bolsas de comida para estudiantes de Coupeville (Meals2Kids) a través del banco de alimentos Gifts from the Heart; se pueden proporcionar bolsas todos los viernes a solicitud en todos los planteles.

Coupeville:

• Regalos del corazón, 203 N. Main St., 360-672-5502 ** Abierto el segundo y cuarto miércoles de cada mes, de 14:00 a 17:00 **
• Oak Harbor:Casa de ayuda de North Whidbey, 1091 SE Hathaway St, 360-675-0681
• Sur de Whidbey:Banco de Alimentos Good Cheer,2812 Grimm Rd, Langley, WA 98260, 360-221-6454

• Centro de Apoyo a la Flota y la Familia (FFSC): Información y apoyo sobre recursos locales. Military OneSource: Apoyo financiero adicional y para cubrir necesidades básicas del personal militar y sus familias. Lista de recursos comunitarios adicionales

Our community will have the opportunity to consider renewing the two local levies that were last approved in 2022. These levies are critical to maintaining the day-to-day operations that support student learning in our district.

Currently, Coupeville School District receives 77% of its funding from the state, 16% from local sources including levies, and 7% from federal sources. Like school districts across the state, we rely on voter-approved levies to fund staff, programs, technology, and services that are unfunded or underfunded by state and federal governments.

Our two current levies serve distinct purposes:

• The Educational Programs & Operations Levy provides annual funding for athletics and clubs, classroom staff, curriculum, and CTE opportunities
• The Capital Technology Levy provides annual funding for repairs and maintenance, learning technology, and security systems

The Board of Directors will be considering a resolution at our upcoming meeting to place levy renewal measures before voters in February 2026.

More information will be shared as details are finalized. You can also visit our website for more information: https://www.coupeville.k12.wa.us/levy

Did you know that completing the Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit Application does more than help determine meal benefits? Your child at Coupeville Middle and High School may qualify for free breakfast and lunch every day. Your application helps ensure Coupeville Elementary remains eligible to provide free meals for all students. It can also qualify your family for other important benefits, such as waived school fees and reduced costs for activities. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, every completed application helps support our school community. Please take a few minutes to complete yours today—your participation truly makes a difference!

Print Your Own: https://www.coupeville.k12.wa.us/departments/food-service/free-and-reduced

Complete Online:

Qmlativ Family Access under “Online Food Service Applications”

September is the month for Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit Applications! (formerly known as the Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications). Our District's eligibility for several state and federal programs is based on our percentage of qualifying students on October 1st. Please use your communication systems and any opportunity with families to encourage completion of this form. Coupeville Elementary: Help keep breakfast and lunch free for all students! CES must have at least 30% of students approved for Free/Reduced price meal benefits to qualify for the Free Meals for Washington Students program. Coupeville Middle and High School: Approved students receive free breakfast and lunch all year long. They also qualify for free or reduced fees for ASB cards, sports and activities.

How to Apply: Printed Applications: Available at each school's office.

Print Your Own: https://www.coupeville.k12.wa.us/departments/food-service/free-and-reduced

Complete Online: Qmlativ Family Access under “Online Food Service Applications”