Administrators with the Coupeville School District are excited to see continued enrollment growth this year, but at the same time, are still looking to fill a teaching void.

The enrollment count for Tuesday’s first day of school showed 972 students — 39 more than the number recorded at the end of last school year.

It is the second year in a row that Coupeville’s first-day count has pointed upward after several years of declining attendance.

The increase has led to a fourth kindergarten class and a new teaching hire.

As of Tuesday, 81 kindergartners were enrolled. A noticable rise in kindergartners’ registration had already prompted school administrators to pursue another teacher.

That move was made last Friday when Grace Castle joined the staff, Superintendent Jim Shank said.

To complete the staff, the Coupeville district is still looking to hire a high school history teacher after Ryan Grenz resigned last month.

Shank said the district is going through applications to identify candidates. A substitute teacher is filling in in the meantime.

Drizzly weather didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of Coupeville Elementary School students arriving on campus on the first day of school Tuesday morning, nor anywhere else around the district.

The high school campus opened with the buzz of the varsity football team already starting the season with a 41-10 home victory over South Whidbey Saturday night.

“It’s been a very smooth start to the school year so far,” Shank said. “Of course, there’s all the jitters and energy from everyone starting a new school year.”