MARYSVILLE — Deborah Rumbaugh was sworn in Monday as Marysville School District’s third superintendent since 2022 after the board voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract.
Rumbaugh has served as interim superintendent for almost nine months. The move to make her position permanent seemed a forgone conclusion after the board’s Nov. 17 meeting, when contract negotiations started, and the position was left unopened to other applicants.
“Hiring a search firm could cost the district $40,000 or more, the funds are not budgeted,” wrote School Board member Kristen Michal in an email at the time. “Stability in our leadership team, and working with our staff and community will allow the district to continue moving forward not only with our financial goals but to uphold our promise that every student is prepared for the future.”
Board members repeated the desire to keep the leadership team stable before the vote Monday.
“The inconsistency and a constant overturn is a constant restructure, and that does not create stability within our school district,” board member Malory Simpson said before the vote.
School board member Mark Tomas agreed that stability is important, along with the role Rumbaugh played in helping the district return to a financially sustainable path.
“I really feel that a lot has been accomplished in the last year with the district, in terms of resolving issues and facing problems and putting this district on the road to being financially sound,” he said. “I’m hopeful that this is the start of a long relationship, so that we can get the district where it needs to be.”
Under Superintendent Zachary Robbins, who was hired in February 2022, the district continued to face significant financial troubles and internal strife. In October 2024, the board voted to sever his contract and bring in Dave Burgess out of retirement as interim superintendent.
Soon after, Rumbaugh began serving as a consultant.
In March, Burgess expressed a desire to return to retirement, and the board appointed Rumbaugh as interim superintendent.
“I am thrilled to say we have an incredible candidate ready to replace me,” Burgess said in a release at the time. “I wholeheartedly encourage the board to employ Dr. Deborah Rumbaugh as the next superintendent.”
Rumbaugh took over the task of balancing the 2025-26 school year budget and restoring the community’s trust. It was the world’s longest job interview, Michal said during the Nov. 17 meeting.
“We’ve navigated some pretty challenging waters and we’ve made some pretty difficult decisions together,” she said during public remarks. “It’s given us the opportunity, I think, to observe in real time her decision-making process, temperament, ability to work with and alongside the community.”
Previously, Rumbaugh was the Stanwood-Camano School District superintendent. In 2024, her relationship with some of the board members deteriorated and the work environment was plagued by ideological strife. Rumbaugh resigned and left the position on Jan. 1.
Now, Rumbaugh is looking at the work ahead in Marysville, she said in a statement.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Marysville School District Board of Directors for its confidence and trust in my leadership. I am humbled by this opportunity,” Rumbaugh said. “I look forward to the work ahead and to continuing our efforts together — board, staff, families, students, and community — to ensure that every student in Marysville is prepared for their future.”
The district crafted the agreement with input from a public survey the district released in October, spokesperson Jeanie Lindsay said earlier.
Rumbaugh’s new contract is through June 30, 2028, Michal said Monday.
Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay
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