DARRINGTON — The Darrington School Board voted Tuesday to renew the superintendent’s contract for two more years.
The contract was a point of contention during a time of upheaval that left the five-person board with four new members. There have been an election and three resignations, followed by appointments of new board members, since November.
The board previously talked about eliminating the superintendent’s job and spreading duties between the elementary principal and district business manager. Buck Marsh has been superintendent since 2015. He also is the district’s athletic director and has four children in Darrington schools.
Marsh’s contract as superintendent and athletic director has been extended until June 30, 2020. He’ll be paid $113,000 for the 2018-19 school year and $116,000 the following year.
The contract includes a provision that prior to June 30, 2019, and prior to Feb. 1 every year after, the school board must tell the superintendent whether it plans to extend the contract or let it expire.
The board and superintendent also agreed to meet each year before Sept. 30 to set goals for the school year. Those would be put in writing and considered by the board when evaluating the superintendent’s performance.
Former Darrington School Board members Dana Meis and Alan Pickard resigned in November, and Jennifer West stepped down in December. Jeff Koble and Sheila Sisney were appointed by the remaining board members to fill Meis and Pickard’s spots, then Jennie Requa was appointed to the position previously held by West.
Requa had run for a spot on the board against former principal and superintendent Dave Holmer in November. Holmer won by three votes, and said at the time that Requa would be good on the board, as well. West’s resignation opened up another spot for which Requa was eligible.
Meanwhile, the Darrington School District also is getting ready to return to voters with a local levy request. Voters shot down the district’s levy proposal in the February election. A lower request is set to be on the April ballot. It would bring in $520,600 a year for Darrington schools.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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