Anacortes High School and Cap Sante classes are on a 2-hour delay this morning, due to a bomb threat investigation. The Anacortes Police Department and Anacortes School District are investigating a threat that was received by 911 dispatch this morning. Staff should also observe the 2-hour delay to allow law enforcement to complete their work.
Law enforcement is currently conducting a search of the high school. ASD officials have reviewed security camera footage and have found no suspicious activity.
We will keep staff, students, and families updated throughout the day.
The Anacortes Police Department, Anacortes School District, and Washington State Patrol have conducted a thorough search of the high school campus following an anonymous bomb threat that was left via voicemail Monday evening at Anacortes High School. Law enforcement has determined that the campus is safe. All schools will remain in session and on regular schedules for Tuesday, Oct. 11.
We take these incidents very seriously, and are taking all precautions to ensure student and staff safety. APD and district staff will continue investigating the incident to determine the voicemail’s origin. The Washington State Patrol responded with their canine unit and swept the building for several hours on Monday evening. Extra patrols will be on campus Tuesday.
If anyone has information related to this incident, please contact APD at (360) 293-4684. If anyone sees anything suspicious, please call 911 and contact a district administrator immediately.
Questions? Superintendent Justin Irish, (360) 503-1211 or jirish@asd103.org
Skagit County will operate a 9 p.m. ferry to Guemes Island this evening to accomodate attendees of tonight's Anacortes Middle School Open House from 6-8:30 p.m.
Questions? Contact Anacortes Middle School (360) 503-1230
The Anacortes School District is engaged in a proactive budget planning process to develop its 2023-24 budget and beyond. The district’s current $45 million budget utilizes nearly $2 million in district reserves, due to declining enrollment, increased costs across all departments, and loss of one-time federal COVID funding. The district is working proactively to identify cost savings to balance the district’s budget, and will also have some difficult decisions to make this year. The shortfall currently represents about 6 percent of the district’s budget.
Staff, families, and community members will have multiple opportunities to be involved in the process, provide feedback, and ask questions.
The district will hold multiple budget community forums throughout the year. The district is also putting together a Budget Advisory Council to inform the district’s decision-making process to balance the budget.
Budget Advisory Council
We are seeking members to serve on a 15-person advisory council. The council will be made up of current staff, students, families, and community members. If you are interested in applying, please fill out an application by Monday, September 19. Bargaining unit members should reach out to your union lead if you are interested in serving.
Budget Advisory Council Application
The Budget Advisory Council meetings will also be open to the public to view the process. The first meeting will be held on September 29, 5:30-7:15 p.m. All subsequent meetings will be held on Thursday evenings throughout the school year.
Public Forums
The district will also hold community forum meetings on the budget throughout the year. These will be advertised through the district’s website, Facebook page, and Education Insider newsletters. Stay tuned!
Questions? Mike Sullivan, Executive Director of Finance & Operations, (360) 503-1213 or masullivan@asd103.org
The Anacortes High School is currently experiencing issues with internet connectivity that is impacting many systems, including our telephone systems. We are working with our internet providers to resolve this issue, but we do not have an ETA at this time.
During this outage, the High School main office can be reached on their backup phone line at 360-299-3919.
Molly Huggins has been selected as the next principal at Cap Sante High School, effective July 1, 2022. Huggins will also serve as assistant principal at Anacortes High School. Huggins has been serving as dean at Cap Sante High School and Anacortes Virtual Learning coordinator this school year. She previously taught math at Anacortes Middle School. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Portland State University, and a master’s degree in education from Lewis and Clark College.
Erica McColl has been selected as the next assistant principal at Anacortes Middle School, effective July 1, 2022. McColl currently serves as assistant principal in the Marysville School District. Previously she served as the Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Manager with the Edmonds School District, and has held various counselor and administrative positions in schools in California. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling from National University.
Both Huggins and McColl were selected from a well-qualified pool of candidates.
“We selected Erica for her experience at the middle school level, as well as her background in counseling and support for students,” said Superintendent Justin Irish. “Molly has proven herself to be a solid leader in our district and has built positive relationships with students and staff. Both Erica and Molly also have a strong instructional background that will help guide the work of our district.”
Huggins and McColl join recently appointed principals Dr. Erin Duez at the high school, and Kia duNann at the middle school. Both will also serve on the District Leadership Team.
Questions? Superintendent Justin Irish, jirish@asd103.org or (360) 503-1211
AHS sophomore Wesley Hunter and Cap Sante sophomore Reagan Lee were sworn in as student board representatives to the Anacortes School Board on Thursday, June 16.
Student board representatives serve a two-year commitment during their junior and senior years. They are expected to attend all regular board meetings and site visits, occasional special events and conferences, and also have opportunities to meet other leaders and elected officials throughout their term. While the student representatives don’t have official voting authority, student voice is an important and an integral part of the board’s deliberations.
“Our student representatives help us better understand how our decisions directly impact our students,” said Jennie Beltramini, school board president. “Their input is invaluable, and we appreciate the time and commitment they bring to their role.”
Hunter and Lee were chosen from a well-qualified and diverse group of student applicants.
Superintendent Justin Irish noted how impressed he was with all of the applicants for the positions.
“We had a tough decision to make, but I believe that Wesley and Reagan will bring their own unique strengths and voice to the board,” said Irish. “Our student board reps learn a tremendous amount about how a school district works, and the board benefits from their perspective.”
Hunter and Lee join continuing student representatives Annaly Ellis and Brady Graham. Graduating seniors Chloe Chambers and Cassius Tossavainen have completed their two-year terms.
Questions? Contact the Superintendent's Office (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org
Kia duNann and Erica McColl have been named as finalists for the principal position at Anacortes Middle School. Staff, families, students, and community members are invited to a public forum on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the library at Anacortes High School to hear a brief presentation from each candidate and engage in an audience Q&A. This presentation will also be live-streamed (youtube.com/ahslive). Feedback will be collected both in-person and electronically, although only in-person audience members will be able to ask questions of the candidates.
These finalists will also take part in a multi-part interview panel at Anacortes Middle School next week, which will include interviews with staff, a building tour, and a performance exercise.
duNann currently serves as assistant principal at Anacortes Middle School. Previously she served as assistant principal with the Snohomish School District, associate principal, activity coordinator/leadership teacher and special education teacher in the Lake Washington and Federal Way school districts.
McColl currently serves as assistant principal at Cedarcrest Middle School in Marysville, Wash. Previously she served as the Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Manager with the Edmonds School District, and has held various counselor and administrative positions in schools in California.
“Both candidates have a depth of experience in serving all students and families, leading systemic improvement, and developing positive relationships,” said Superintendent Justin Irish. “I’m looking forward to seeing how they engage our students, staff and community in the next steps of the interview process.”
The principal at Anacortes Middle School oversees approximately 55 certificated and classified staff, and a student body of approximately 560 students. The principal serves on the District’s Leadership Team and helps guide the district’s focus on developing rigorous learning opportunities for all students.
Questions? Contact Superintendent Justin Irish, jirish@asd103.org or (360) 503-1211
We invite the community to visit Veterans Memorial Plaza at Anacortes High School this Memorial Day, and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
The plaza will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, May 30. No events are planned; rather we invite the community in for reflection and tribute. The plaza is comprised of a memorial designed by local architect Brooks Middleton, with input from the Veterans Memorial Committee, as well as a display honoring two Medal of Honor recipients with local connections. Restrooms will be open during this time. The Anacortes School District is closed on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.
Questions, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org.
The District Office will be available Monday through Thursday throughout the 2022 summer break to assist you!
Summer Hours
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
June 27th - August 19th
Contact Information
Phone: 360-503-1200
Email: information@asd103.org