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.