COUPLAND NEWS
COUPLAND — A joint meeting between the City Council and Coupland Independent School District trustees is laying the groundwork for more cooperation and consensus, officials said.
“If all goes well, this will be a great start for a united community effort,” said Coupland ISD Superintendent Earl Parcell.
The two groups of elected representatives joined forces during a session Oct. 1 in the media center of the new Coupland Junior High and High School.
Mayor Russell Schmidt discussed the state of the city and Parcell presented the state of the district.
“The goal is to constructively produce a few priorities that both entities can get behind to better the community of Coupland,” Parcell said.
The meeting broke into working groups to discuss public safety and well-being; youth, community service and engagement; and growth and development.
VATRE Nov. 3
Voters on Nov. 3 are being asked to decide the fate of a Voter Approved Tax Rate Election, or VATRE, to help fund the school district.
If the VATRE passes, the district will receive nearly $263,000 in additional annual operating revenue.
The proposed increase is 3 cents, and 100% of the additional funding will remain in Coupland ISD.
The cost to a taxpayer owning an average home valued at $240,000 will be $2.50, officials said.
If the VATRE is approved, the new revenue will cover increased operating costs such as salaries, student programs, technology and classroom supplies.
In addition, with the opening in August of the junior high-high school, the district will add one grade level each year, officials said.
As the grade levels expand, the staffing grows too, educators said.
Early voting began Monday and continues through Oct. 30.
Safety drill, Harvest Fest
A full evacuation drill was held at Coupland Elementary School Oct. 9, with firefighters offering safety tips and showing students a fire truck.
Principal Kate Knapek said safety is the district’s top priority.
“We evacuated the campus and transitioned to our evacuation site,” the principal said. “Safety precautions were in place and we worked with our local first responder partners.”
In addition, Coupland PTA’s annual Harvest Fest, the biggest fundraiser of the year, was held Oct. 17 with games and food.
Blue Cat opens
The new Blue Cat at 206 N. Austin St. held its open house Oct. 11.
Manager Tessa Strider invited the community to take a tour.
“We have put a lot of thought into making this space a place for the community to gather and connect,” Strider said.
Applications are available for anyone interested in renting the available spaces, including a commercial kitchen, three private rooms and a shared area.
Currently, Blue Cat hosts Case by Case Studio, which offers haircuts, nails and facial waxing, and Double Take, a curated women’s and children’s vintage and thrift shop.
In the coming weeks, the café Flourbox will debut.
“We have put a lot of thought into making this space a place for the community to gather and connect,” Strider said.
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland Kirchenfest Sunday, a traditional St. Peter’s celebration honoring past Confirmation graduates, is Oct. 25. The church at 108 Wathen St. will have a cake honoring the confirmation anniversaries of 25, 50, 75, 84 and 86 years.
St. Peter’s will celebrate All Saints Day Nov. 1, to remember those who have died. During the service, family members will be invited to light a candle in memory of a loved one.
The next Community Senior Luncheon is the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon 11 a.m. Nov. 17.
New Sweden Lutheran Church A Homesteading Class is 7 p.m. Oct. 21 with Jenny Jordan sharing how to mend and repair clothing, Dolly Mogonye teaching the basics of crochet and Charlotte Swenson instructing on macrame.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month and the congregation is honoring the Rev. Hans Lillejord.
A workday 9 a.m. Oct. 31 is planned to get the church and grounds ready for the “God and Country Celebration,” an evening of fellowship honoring veterans and active-duty military members at 5 p.m. Nov. 8, just before Veterans Day Nov. 11.
The meal starts at 5 p.m. followed by the celebration at 7 p.m.
The church is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road, southwest of Coupland.
For news and events, visit www.newswedenchurch. org.
Blue Cat manager Tessa Strider with her aunt Martha Poldrack and mother Prissy Rumel at the Blue Cat open house earlier this month. Poldrack and Rumel are also the owners. Photo Courtesy of Blue Cat
