Due to new information received this morning from the Department of Emergency Management, Concrete School District is closed today and tomorrow (Wednesday, December 10 and Thursday, December 11).

There will be no extracurricular activities and no out-of-district transportation on either day.

Information about a possible closure on Friday will be shared as soon as we know more.

We are meeting this morning to create a plan for how the district will operate as an evacuation site, and we will send additional details later today.

Please follow emergency management recommendations for your area and stay safe.

We are still operating on a regular late start schedule for today, Wednesday, December 10.

Students who live on Northshore Drive in Cape Horn need to make their way to Cape Horn Drive to meet the bus.

If parents or guardians choose to keep their student home today, please call or email the school office to excuse the absence:

• Elementary: 360-853-4110 or lcorn@concrete.k12.wa.us
• High School: 360-853-4015 or hsoffice@concrete.k12.wa.us

Absences today will be excused due to the current potential flooding conditions.

An official message will be sent later today informing families that schools will be closed tomorrow due to the ongoing situation. We are also working on a plan for tomorrow and Friday, as the district is a likely evacuation location.

We will continue to monitor conditions closely and provide updates as soon as possible.

At this time, Concrete School District plans to operate on a regular late start on Wednesday, December 10.

There will be no extracurricular or after-school activities, including:

• The basketball game vs. Tulalip
• All after-school events
• No Boys & Girls Club
• No students on campus after 3:00 p.m.

Out-of-district transportation to NCTA (Skill Center) and Invest will run as scheduled.

District staff will be driving early Wednesday morning to assess areas most likely to flood, including Northshore in Cape Horn and SR 530. Families should check their email in the morning to see whether students will need to meet the bus at a different location.

Updates will be provided by 6:00 a.m. through ParentSquare, Facebook, and district websites. A robocall will be sent if a change affects all students.

Families are encouraged to make safety decisions based on conditions where they live.

Concrete School District is operating on a regular schedule today, and buses are running their regular routes.

Cape Horn Exception: Students who live on Northshore Drive must make their way to Cape Horn Drive to meet the bus.

District staff completed early-morning road checks on SR 530 and throughout Cape Horn to assess flood impacts. If conditions change during the day, the district will determine whether updates are needed for p.m. routes or after-school activities and will notify families promptly.

Families are encouraged to make the decisions that feel safest for them based on local conditions.

For assistance, contact the Transportation Office: Phone: (360) 853-4035 Email: transportation@concrete.k12.wa.us

Board Director Vacancy – At-Large Position

The Concrete School District is seeking qualified applicants to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Board of Directors. The At-Large Position currently held by Paul Rogge will become vacant effective January 1, 2026, due to no candidates filing in the November 2025 election. Director Rogge did not seek re-election.

Under state law, when no successor is elected, the remaining members of the Board are responsible for appointing a qualified person to fill the open position until the next regular school board election.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a United States citizen
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a registered voter residing within the Concrete School District boundaries
• Be available to attend regular and special Board meetings, work sessions, and required trainings

This is an At-Large seat. Any resident living within the Concrete School District boundaries is eligible, regardless of director district geography.

About the Role

School Board Directors:

• Set the vision, mission, and strategic direction of the district
• Adopt policies and ensure accountability for student learning
• Oversee the district budget and steward public resources responsibly
• Engage with the community and represent district residents
• Support the superintendent in achieving the goals of the district

The Board is seeking applicants who are collaborative, community-minded, and committed to the success and well-being of Concrete students.

Application Process

Interested community members are invited to submit:

1. A letter of interest describing why you wish to serve on the Board and the strengths you would bring to the role.
2. A résumé or summary of relevant experience.

Submit materials to:

Carrie Crickmore, Superintendent

• ccrickmore@concrete.k12.wa.us or
• 45389 Airport Way, Concrete, WA 98237

Timeline

• Application window: December 1–12, 2025 (due by 3:00 p.m.)
• Board review: Week of December 15
• Interviews & appointment: During the regular Board meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025
• Term of service: From appointment through the November 2027 regular school board election (per RCW 28A.343.370)

Questions may be directed to ccrickmore@concrete.k12.wa.us.

This is a reminder that there will be no school on Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, November 28, for Thanksgiving Break. All district offices will also be closed during this time.

We hope you enjoy the long weekend with family and friends.

School resumes on Monday, December 1.

Levy Information and Upcoming Board Actions

In February 2024, Concrete School District voters approved two separate two-year levies:

1. Two-Year Capital Projects Levy (2025–2026)

This levy was dedicated strictly to safety and security improvements across the district.

Completed Projects (2024–2025) include:

• Rekeying all exterior doors districtwide
• Upgrading the district fire alarm system
• Updating and expanding security camera coverage

Major Projects Planned for Summer 2026:

• New secured entry doors districtwide, featuring:
  • Video and/or audio verification systems (varies by door)
  • ADA-accessible hardware and entry upgrades (varies by door)
  • Electronic fob access
  • Integrated access-control security systems
• Doors scheduled for replacement/include security upgrades at:
  • Concrete Elementary
  • High School Main Building
  • Tech Building
  • Middle School
• New, modernized fire alarm systems at both the elementary and secondary campuses
• Additional safety upgrades identified through OSPI’s School Safety guidance

The two-year Capital Projects Levy provided sufficient funding to complete the district’s full list of priority safety and security projects. Because these projects are fully funded and scheduled for completion in 2026, Concrete School District will not run another Capital Projects Levy at this time.

Looking Ahead: February 2026 Levy Planning

At the November 25, 2025 School Board Meeting, the Board of Directors will review and consider approving a four-year replacement Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy for the February 2026 Special Election.

This is the only levy under consideration.

The EP&O Levy funds essential operations and student services not fully supported by state funding, including:

• Classroom staffing
• Special education services
• Student supports and interventions
• Safety and supervision
• Athletics and extracurricular activities
• Instructional materials and technology
• Transportation needs

The current EP&O Levy expires in December 2026, and renewing it is essential to sustaining the programs, staff, and services that our community expects for Concrete students.

More information will be shared after the November 25 Board Meeting.

At the November 25 Concrete School Board Meeting, the Board of Directors is scheduled to review and approve a resolution to run a four-year replacement Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy for voter consideration in the February 2026 Special Election. This replacement levy would continue local funding that supports essential educational programs, staffing, and student services in the Concrete School District.

As part of this process, the Board will appoint up to three community members to serve on the “For” Committee and up to three community members to serve on the “Against” Committee. These committees are responsible for writing the respective statements that will appear in the Skagit County Local Voters’ Pamphlet for Concrete School District’s levy measure.

In accordance with RCW 29A.32.280, the Concrete School District is seeking community volunteers to draft the “For” and “Against” statements. Each committee may include up to three members and may collaborate with others when preparing their statement. Committee members must:

• Reside within the Concrete School District boundaries
• Be available through December for communication with the Skagit County Auditor’s Office
• Be known to support (for) or oppose (against) the levy measure

If you are interested in serving, please complete the short application linked below by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025.

The School Board plans to appoint committee members at its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Apply Here to Serve on a For or Against Committee

For more information, please contact: Superintendent Carrie Crickmore Email: ccrickmore@concrete.k12.wa.us