MARYSVILLE — Seniors at Marysville-Pilchuck High School have ordered caps, gowns and graduation announcements for a ceremony that still has no time or date.
When the Marysville School Board sent a proposed school year calendar back to the bargaining table Monday, it kept thousands of students — and hundreds of seniors — waiting.
"Graduation is part of the calendar, and the calendar is still being negotiated," said Marysville-Pilchuck principal Tracy VanWinkle, who predicts it will take place between July 7 and 16 in the Everett Events Center.
Under the previously proposed calendar, which had the backing of the teachers union, Marysville students would have finished the school year on July 16.
There would have been three days off for Christmas, three more off for New Year’s, a two-day spring break and two days of school on Saturday.
For some school board members, the sticking point was the two days of school on Saturday.
"We’re going to try to get it done as soon as possible, and I hope it doesn’t take until January," said Vicki Gates, school board president.
James Millikan, a Marysville-Pilchuck senior, said he is just glad to be back in school and won’t worry about when graduation takes place. Even so, he is eager to know when the school year will end.
"I think the teachers and the district have to set up the calendar right away," he said.
The calendar was patched together after teachers ended a state-record 49-day strike on Oct. 20. They still don’t have a labor contract.
Kathie Roon, parent of a Marysville senior, said the calendar is important so families can make plans. She doesn’t want to see the district lose a chance to book the Everett Events Center for graduation.
"I’m really hoping they can get the calendar by Dec. 15," she said. "I know some families are hoping to go on family trips. It’s really late to be making plans."
By state law, schools must provide students with 180 days of schooling per year. Seniors are allowed 175 days.
Elaine Hanson, president of the 650-member Marysville Education Association, warned the board Monday that coming up with a new calendar "could take us well into January."
The board on Monday approved the proposed calendar through December, sending it back to teacher and nonteacher unions for review.
Hanson questioned whether that is even legal.
"Under the bargaining law, you can only ratify the calendar or reject it," Hanson said.
The board’s vote amounts to rejecting the proposed calendar, she said. That means a new tentative agreement will have to be reached and the teachers union will have to vote on it before it goes back to the school board.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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