Dear MVSD Students and Families,

On 10/16/2025, shortly after noon, MVSD schools initiated lockdown procedures in response to a suspicious vehicle with an individual brandishing a dangerous weapon. Schools then followed Emergency Operations Procedures specific to their building and responsive to the age and development of their students.

At the time of the incident we followed our emergency operation procedures: First focusing on the safety and security of students, staff, and others on our campuses; Second, cooperating with law enforcement; once the school and occupants were safely secured, communications to staff, MVSD students' families via school messenger phone call and skyward email message; then volunteers/visitors expected to be coming to campus during the lockdown/secure and teach in place period.

Law enforcement gave us the all clear to return to normal operations around 1:04 PM and a scheduled LBHS Homecoming Pep Rally, end of the day pick up and afterschool activities continued as planned.

What we can now share is that a young adult male from out of the area was at the high school to visit a Liberty Bell student to head off campus for lunch, but while still on school grounds displayed a handgun out of the window of his Jeep Wrangler. Based on eyewitness statements, Okanogan County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) Deputies arrested and booked the alleged suspect into Okanogan County Jail for two counts of possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities and 4 counts of weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm-unlawful carrying or handling. While the suspect was still in custody, MVSD requested OCSO to serve the alleged suspect with a Criminal Trespass ordering them to remain off Methow Valley School District property including all property which is being operated or controlled, in whole or in part, by the District during any school-sponsored activity for the maximum amount of time of 1 year from the date of the incident.

We will continue to work through our policies and procedures related to behavioral threat assessment and student discipline for any of our students that may have been involved.

You can learn more from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s News Release.

On Monday each LBHS/ILC advisory and MVE class will have an age appropriate classroom conversation clarifying facts about the incident and a chance to share their experience. Teachers will be provided a scripted conversation tool developed and supported by Alicia Covell, MVSD School Psychologist.

As with any incident, the administrative team has and will continue to debrief and analyze our response. We will carefully review our adherence to and the fidelity of our emergency operation procedures. We will also analyze our communications to refine and improve the expedience, accuracy, and efficacy in providing essential information to all members of the school community as needed. We will also start a process to evaluate the safety of having our secondary campuses open during lunch.

I am attaching a separate document outlining the actions the district is taking across multiple fronts in regards to student safety and emergency operations.

In Community,

Grant Storey, MVSD Superintendent

On the heels of our first Winter Storm warning and fresh snow in the hills, it is time remind ourselves about the procedures MVSD has in place regarding "School Closures, Delays, and Emergency Bus Routes."

Depending on the conditions, possible changes to the regular school schedule might include:

• MVSD Schools closed for the day
• MVSD Schools operating on a two-hour delayed start schedule*
• MVSD Schools operating on a two-hour delayed start with emergency bus routes** in effect
• MVSD buses operating on time with emergency bus routes** in effect

*if a two-hour delayed start occurs on a early release Friday, schools will dismiss at 3:10 PM for MVE and 3:20 PM for LBHS/ILC

**Emergency Bus Route information can be found on our School Closures, Delays and Emergency Routes page

\ The District will make every attempt to notify students, parents and community members of changes to the regular school schedule no later than 6:00 AM. Notification will be prioritized in the following order:

School Messenger Phone Call, Skyward Family Messenger Email, District Website, School and District Social Media, Radio (KOZI-103.1 FM, KTRT-97.5 FM).

We recommend that families double check their contact information in Skyward.

You can find more information about school closures, delays, and/or changes to bus routes on our School Closures, Delays and Emergency Routes page or by contacting the Transportation Department at (509) 997-2113.

A strength of the Methow Valley School District is our committed and engaged community. MVSD faces many of the same barriers and challenges that other North Central Washington rural districts face, however its access to an invested community and vast array of community organization partners puts the district in a position to take on work, challenges, and create opportunities that other rural districts cannot. The district relies on these partnerships to provide a broad range of educational pathways, extracurricular activities, facility improvements, and student supports. Consider supporting one of the Valley's many great community organizations and education partners during this years Give Methow campaign.

To learn more visit GiveMethow.org

Congratulations to Kyle Northcott, Liberty Bell's new Head Boys Basketball Coach!

Kyle has deep roots in the Methow Valley. You can find his ancestors among the 12 original pioneering families listed at the Schaeffer Museum. Kyle graduated from Liberty Bell in 1998 and in his senior year helped to advance the Liberty Bell basketball team to the A league State Tournament. Currently, he runs a landscaping business and a voice over production company.

Kyle has continued to contribute to the success of LBHS basketball, even beyond his playing days. He has coached at Liberty Bell for four seasons, most recently serving as the assistant coach for Ryan Surface, who resigned early this fall. Last year, Coach Northcott helped guide the boys basketball team to their first State appearance since 2008.

In his time with the program, Kyle has demonstrated a keen knowledge of the game, excellent communication skills, and a strong commitment to effectively studying film and teaching his players to do the same. Coach Northcott's goals for the LBHS boys basketball include building a strong team culture rooted in accountability and hard work.

If you are interested in learning more about how Restorative Practices are used, modeled and practiced in school and how you can reinforce healthy communication and accountability at home, join us Monday, October 13th from 5:30-6:30 pm in the LB Library for a parent training event, lead by our Culture Coordinator, Isaac Cordes and supported by MVSD administrators, counselors and students.

The Methow Valley School District Board of Directors appointed Ben Avery to the empty at-large board position. The position became open when former long-time director Frank Kline resigned on September 1, 2025. Ben will complete the remainder of Frank's term at which point the seat will be decided by public election.

Ben Avery has spent his career in nonprofit leadership and currently serves as State Director of the Sierra Club’s Washington State Chapter, where he focuses on environmental advocacy. He lives in Twisp with his wife, their 6th grade daughter, and a lively household that includes two dogs, a cat, and a small flock of chickens. Ben is deeply invested in public education, both as a parent and as a community member, and believes in ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education.

Ben was selected after an interview process and executive session in the regularly scheduled board meeting on September 25th facilitated by Linda McKay, Deputy Superintendent of North Central Education Service District. Two other applicants interviewed, Ina Clark and Kellie Zahn.

In partnership, the Methow Valley School District and the Methow Valley Elder Care Coordination Network are offering a class at Liberty Bell High School called, “Introduction to Healthcare Careers”. This class is a pilot program working to introduce youth to a variety of healthcare fields and allow students to experience local and non-local health care career skills. Interested students will be able to sign up for a Healthcare career internship. 

The MVSD is seeking an instructor to develop a rigorous, industry-standard, regionally relevant healthcare careers program rooted in industry best practices, individualized instruction, and practical skills. The instructor will create, design, and assess meaningful, real-world learning opportunities for students in the fields of healthcare, with an emphasis on collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills.  This instructor needs to hold a valid Washington State Nursing license, other Allied Health licensure, and/or the ability to qualify for CTE certification based on industry experience. Teaching hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00-3:20 and Fridays 1:00-1:30. The class will start in January but paid prep hours are available in Fall 2025.

This is a .2 FTE position. Salary is based upon the District salary schedule.

Application Procedure: 

Current employees of the district may apply by submitting a letter of interest to HR@methow.org. External applicants apply online using Fast Track at methow.org/district/employment. Please email HR@methow.org with questions. 

This teaching position is 100% funded by The Methow Valley Elder Care Coordination Network, funded by a Network Development Grant awarded by the Health Resource & Service Administration (HRSA) as part of an award totaling $300,000. To learn more about HRSA funding go to HRSA.gov.

Over the next two weeks each of the District's schools will be hosting open house nights. Families should be receiving more information about these nights from their student's building principal. Here is the basic info:

LBHS Open House and Curriculum Night

Wednesday 9/24 5-7 PM Meet in the LBHS Commons

Independent Learning Center Family Night

Monday 9/26 6 PM

Methow Valley Elementary Open House and Family Resource Fair

Wednesday 10/1 5-6 PM