MARYSVILLE — Marysville’s school superintendent placed the district’s attorney on administrative leave last week, the latest twist in a series of struggles for the cash-strapped district.
Claudette Rushing, who joined the district in September, is Marysville’s first ever in-house general counsel. Her annual salary is $178,065.
Few details about the circumstances of her leave were available Thursday.
On July 25, a districtwide email informed staff Rushing was on leave “for an undetermined period of time.”
Superintendent Zachary Robbins forwarded a request for comment to district spokesperson Jodi Runyon, who wrote in an email “we are not at liberty to provide further details related to this personnel matter at this time.”
On the advice of her attorneys, Rushing declined to comment.
The unexplained leave comes after three other high-level staffers have stepped away or lost their jobs in recent months.
In June, then-finance director Lisa Gonzales publicly aired explosive allegations of “violations of the law, inaccurate state reports, and cronyism,” naming the superintendent and the head of Human Resources in particular.
Gonzales’ contract with the district ended June 30.
Less than two weeks after Gonzales went public with her accusations, Human Resources director Alvin Cooper abruptly quit his position. Robbins remains at the head of the district, despite Gonzales urging the district to place him on leave.
An outside attorney advised the school board not to place Robbins on leave, Krebbs said Wednesday. The investigation into Gonzales’ allegations is ongoing, he said.
Just weeks after Cooper’s resignation, school board President Wade Rinehardt suddenly quit. His departure came after a local parent initiated an effort to recall him and Krebbs. The parent later withdrew the recall.
The following day, state Superintendent Chris Reykdal informed officials he would impose a financial oversight committee on the district, declaring it “financially insolvent.” He cited the high-profile departures among his reasons.
The superintendent’s office is aware Rushing is on leave, agency spokesperson Katy Payne confirmed in an email.
Krebbs said the board still has work to do regardless of the situation with Rushing.
He added: “We’re really trying to push a message of collaboration.”
Sophia Gates: 425-339-3035; sophia.gates@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @SophiaSGates.
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