Timeline of Marysville schools turmoil

Published 12:50 pm Thursday, August 29, 2024

MARCH 16, 2021

Outgoing Superintendent Jason Thompson files an age discrimination complaint against the school board president and the former deputy superintendent, days before the district announced Thompson would be taking a medical leave of absence. Investigators hired by the district later found insufficient evidence to support most of Thompson’s claims.

SEPT. 21

The Marysville school board approves a deal enabling Thompson — who has been on leave since March — to keep his job and salary but not return to work. It calls for him to resign June 30, 2022.

FEB. 8, 2022

Marysville voters reject operations and capital levies.

FEB. 23

The school board unanimously votes to appoint Zachary Robbins, then the principal of Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas, as the district’s next superintendent.

APRIL 26

For the second time, voters turn down a four-year education operations levy and a capital levy. In the immediate aftermath, 35 teachers receive layoff notices.

FEB. 14, 2023

After two failed attempts, voters approve multi-year property tax levy. School leaders called it the “most critical levy” in the district’s history.

AUG. 5

The Marysville School District prepares to enter “binding financial conditions” with the state to help address its $18 million shortfall.

FEB. 5, 2024

As more than 80 staffers and parents protest outside, the Marysville school board approves extension for Robbins’ contract.

MARCH

In an unprecedented move, the board of the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool votes to drop the district by August 2024.

MAY 23

The state approves a revised financial plan for Marysville schools, which includes the elimination of 46 positions and two school closures.

MAY 31

Leaders announce they will recommend the closure of Cascade Elementary School, Liberty Elementary School and Totem Middle School for the 2025-26 school year.

JUNE 3

In a bombshell letter, then-finance director Lisa Gonzales calls for the school board to place Robbins on leave and that the district is guilty of violations of the law, inaccurate state reports and cronyism.”

JUNE 13

Alvin Cooper, former director of Human Resources, resigns, less than two weeks after a letter from Gonzales names him in allegations about mismanagement at the district’s highest levels.

JUNE 17

Marysville school board President Wade Rinehardt resigns.

JUNE 18

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal imposes a financial oversight committee on “financially insolvent” Marysville schools.

AUG. 5

Marysville schools receive “rare and alarming” audit from the state. Auditors found the school district’s financial condition has “significantly declined,” and caused “substantial doubt about its ability to operate into the future.”

AUG. 19

Beth Hoiby resigns from the Marysville school board, the second resignation from the board this summer.

AUG. 28

Reykdal announces his intention to place the district under “Enhanced Financial Oversight.”

OCT. 3

Marysville school board votes to part ways with Superintendent Zachary Robbins. Dave Burgess appointed as interim superintendent.