Deal on schools pleases parents

By Eric Stevick

Herald Writer

MALTBY — In the end, the boundaries changed but not the enrollments.

Sixteen students will be able to remain in the Snohomish School District despite a turf battle that ended in December with a regional board transferring a neighborhood near Maltby from the Snohomish School District to Monroe School District.

"I couldn’t be happier," said Linda Schumacher, a parent with three children who will remain in Snohomish schools even though their home was transferred to the Monroe district.

Parents in the Echo Falls and Valley Ridge Trails communities were divided about what school districts they wanted their children to attend. Some wanted Monroe, others Snohomish.

In both cases, parents were forced to play a kind of variance roulette. Neither side wanted to risk not being able to get an annual variance that allows their children to attend a school in their preferred district.

One group that wanted to be in the Monroe district discovered a little-used state law that allows boundaries to be redrawn by a Regional Committee on School District Organization. In August, the panel agreed to move the area into the Monroe district. It was the first time since 1992 it had been asked to resolve a territorial dispute.

Other neighbors who wanted to remain in the Snohomish district said they weren’t aware of the hearing and started a petition to return to the Snohomish district. They were unable to dissuade the regional committee.

Many were upset because they had bought their property because it was in the Snohomish district.

The Snohomish School Board decided last week to grandfather in students whose district boundaries had changed. They range from third-grade to high school students. The families will need to provide their own transportation, however.

"It’s really wonderful that they were willing to step up and do that," said Schumacher, whose children attend three different schools in Snohomish. "It may not work for all families, but it at least gives them an option."

"It is a unique circumstance," said Betty Robertson, assistant superintendent of the Snohomish district. "Because it is a number that is reasonable, we felt we were able to accommodate it."

The Monroe School District has no objection.

"We want their children to be happy wherever they go," said Rosemary O’Neil, a Monroe district spokeswoman.

You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446

or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.