The Board of Directors for Coupeville School District took measures Monday to reduce costs in the wake of declining enrollment.

After accepting the resignation of current Coupeville Middle and High School principal Sheldon Rosenkrance, the board approved a new leadership model and eliminated an administrative position.

Rosenkrance submitted his resignation April 30, saying he will not be returning to the district next year.

“I have accepted the position of superintendent in Estes Park, Colorado,” Rosenkrance said in his resignation. “It has been a pleasure working in the Coupeville School District and I have seen a lot of progress and growth throughout my nine years of working in Coupeville.”

In addition to accepting that resignation, the board approved a new leadership model, which eliminates the special services director position next year.

Superintendent Jim Shank said he will absorb those duties.

The position is responsible for the special education program as well as title services, he said.

Under the new model, current special services director Duane Baumann will take over the role of vice principal at the middle and high school next year.

Current vice principal Lori Stolee’s contract will not be renewed for the 2014-15 school year, Shank said. “If additional positions within the district become available, she is welcome to apply for them.”

The district posted notice of the open principal position this week.

Shank said when the new principal is hired, they will further look at the leadership model.

“Clearly when you have new people coming in, you look at their strengths,” he said.

Eliminating the special services director position is one way the district is looking at cutting costs as a result of declining enrollment.

Shank said since he started last year, the district has lost roughly 49 students, although that number fluctuates week-to-week with students also entering the district.

But in the last couple of years, the district has seen a steady decline.

Shank said he’s been able to speak with some of the departing families and learned 38 families left for career opportunities outside the state and 29 families left the island for other reasons.

“Enrollment is an indicator in funding,” Shank said.

Reduced enrollment means the district has to reduce costs.

The special services director position is an $85,000 salary.