Marysville school board hears public gripe session

Teachers and parents complain about the school district administration’s lack of communication

By Kate Reardon

Herald Writer

MARYSVILLE — Talk of severe impacts from budget cuts, rumors over administration spending and allegations of poor communication skills…

Sound like something out of the White House?

Try again. How about the Marysville School District?

More than 250 community members and school district staff packed the school board meeting room Monday night to show their displeasure over all of the above.

"Hopefully you’ll understand that I’m not standing alone in my concerns," community member Jane Roe said, pointing to the standing-room only crowd.

Charlie DeCaro and Shawna Gould shared their concerns that a campus police officer is no longer stationed at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

Chemistry teacher Jeff Riechel questioned administrative spending, including the purchase of an expensive office chair for the superintendent and laptops for school board members.

District officials later said the superintendent does have a $1,900 chair due to an injury to her back she suffered while working for the district. District officials also said that laptops have not yet been bought for school board members. It was unclear, however, whether money had been allocated for the laptops.

Earlier this year, school board members approved $2.4 million in budget cuts. Also, 42 educational assistants were affected by the budget cuts. Dave Steelsmith, district spokesman, said 34 of those were reassigned, while eight others decided not to return rather than take a new assignment or fewer hours.

Health teacher Monica Lane talked about her concerns over how communication has been handled by administration. She said an e-mail she sent to the superintendent went unanswered.

Those who didn’t speak held placards saying "Please communicate" and "Respect our staff" to get their points across.

An hour before the board meeting, dozens gathered in the parking lot for a "tailgate" party, garnering support for those planning to address the board. They kept warm by sipping hot apple cider and eating hotdogs.

More than 20 people signed up to speak to board members and speaking time limits were cut from five minutes to three to fit in more speakers.

David Carpentier, who has taught at the high school for 29 years and has worked under nine superintendents, said he became "puzzled and frustrated" when parents came to him looking for answers he could not provide regarding recent budget cut decisions.

He suggested Monday night that the district put together a superintendent advisory team that would serve as a sounding board, provide institutional memory and be a communications pipeline to the public.

Although board members and the superintendent remained quiet during the comments, a recent e-mail to staff members from newly appointed Superintendent Linda Whitehead addresses some concerns.

In the e-mail, Whitehead said she recognizes that she has inherited many challenges.

"We have money problems due to poor and ineffective systems, processes, procedures and financial controls," her e-mail said. She also said she has received many messages from staff members at the high school regarding concerns from budget cuts, overloaded classrooms, lay-offs, copying fees, coaching pay cuts and the loss of the campus police officer.

In another message, Whitehead said "there will be bumps in the road."

"At the same time, I want to emphasize my intent to work in a collaborative way with you to create a climate of trust," she said.

School board member Mark Johnson said prior to Monday’s meeting that he understands some people are upset, but the "district has to have a balanced budget."

Factors that figure in on the district’s budget shortfall were teacher raises, increased energy costs and miscalculation in student enrollment in the district.

You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455

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

MICHAEL O’LEARY / The Herald

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.

Three injured after high-speed, head-on collision on Highway 522

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that happened before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

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.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

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.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

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.