Popular Coupeville Elementary principal resigns for Mount Vernon job

Coupeville Elementary School Principal Erica McColl has resigned and taken a job with the Mount Vernon School District, a departure that removes one of Coupeville’s most widely liked school leaders at a time when trust in district leadership is already strained. McColl, who had led the elementary school for two years, will become Mount Vernon’s director of student support and prevention services.

In a community message, McColl said she remains “a Coupeville mom, neighbor, and community member,” even as she steps out of the principal’s office. That distinction matters in a small district where school leaders are part of daily life at concerts, games, and pickup lines, and where families often judge a principal by the tone they set as much as by the rules they enforce.

Her resignation lands after an April climate survey compiled by the Coupeville Education Association and the Coupeville Educational Support Association painted a troubled picture inside the district. The 77-page survey described widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of the superintendent and school board, fear of retaliation, and a difficult working environment at Coupeville High School. Against that backdrop, McColl and Coupeville Elementary stood out for drawing the strongest praise in the district.

Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood thanked McColl and said her work strengthened the systems, culture and sense of community at the elementary school. David Svien, who reported McColl’s departure, said she leaves a lasting impression on students, teachers, staff, colleagues and parents. In a district where morale has been a public issue, McColl’s exit leaves a noticeable gap in one of the few areas that drew broad approval.

The timing adds to the pressure on Coupeville School District leaders. The Coupeville School Board met in executive session Monday to discuss the performance of a public official, a sign that leadership questions remain active. The district has also been working under financial strain after the board approved a modified education plan in April and later adopted $1.1 million in cuts that could affect six employees. The district’s fund balance was reported below the 6% policy target for the year’s expenditures.

The personnel turmoil has not been limited to the elementary school. Coupeville High School principal Dan Berard was placed on paid leave in March pending an investigation, deepening the sense that the district is juggling leadership and budget problems at the same time. For Coupeville parents, McColl’s move is more than a routine job change: it takes away a familiar presence from the school that earned the most trust and leaves another unresolved transition for next year.