MARYSVILLE — The Marysville School Board has raised the possibility it may end its contract with Superintendent Linda Whitehead today.
The board has called a special meeting for 5 p.m. at district headquarters to discuss Whitehead’s contract in executive session.
In a revised agenda sent Tuesday, it also listed "possible personnel action" to follow the discussion on the superintendent’s contract.
"After the executive session, we are having a special board meeting regarding personnel," said board member Ron Young. "We can take action regarding any personnel issue.
"I can’t say with any certainty what is going to happen," he said.
The board has discussed Whitehead’s contract behind closed doors four times in recent weeks, including Monday night.
The possibility of a buyout was raised in January, but the board has been tight-lipped about the negotiations. The board’s president, Vicki Gates, said she had no comment after the Monday executive session, and she could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Board member Michael Kundu said he could not talk about what was discussed behind closed doors or what could happen tonight.
"We are moving forward," he said.
Whitehead has 2 1/2years left on a $130,876-a-year contract that was extended for a third year in November. The unanimous vote to extend her contract was controversial — one of the last actions taken by a board that saw three incumbents voted out of office in November.
New board members Gates, Kundu and Carol Jason questioned the effectiveness of the district’s top leadership during their election campaigns. All were critical of the state record 49-day teachers strike last fall, which they said was a performance failure on the part of Whitehead and her administration.
Board members Young and Helen Mount, whose seats were not up for election, remain steadfastly in Whitehead’s corner, saying she had worked hard to bring financial stability to the district while focusing on student achievement.
It has been a tumultuous year for the school district.
Enrollment has dropped sharply because of the sour economy and families choosing to enroll their children elsewhere during the strike.
The enrollment losses are blamed for a $2 million budget shortfall from the $82.25 million budget the district adopted last summer. Like several other districts in Snohomish County, the district is predicting continued enrollment losses over the next two years. Principals and other administrators have been asked to come up with ways to cut $1.5 million from the budget going into next fall. Their ideas are due by March 15.
The district also doesn’t have a contract with its teachers. Negotiations are to resume Thursday afternoon.
With the exception of ironing out a school year calendar, the two sides haven’t met at the bargaining table since the strike ended in October.
The division on the board mirrors feelings in the community, with some groups calling for Whitehead’s ouster and others firmly in her corner.
"If the board decides to change the leadership, it is in the best interest of Marysville students and families," said Elaine Hanson, president of the 650-member Marysville Education Association. "Voters elected three new board members in November. The superintendent is another position of leadership that needs a change
"The teachers need someone in that position who supports the Marysville teachers in the classroom, and we haven’t felt that with Dr. Whitehead," Hanson said.
Greg Aff, a member of Marysville Parents for Higher Achievement, a group that was formed after the strike, said Whitehead has done a good job and the district simply doesn’t have the money to give teacher raises while investing to improve student learning.
"It would be a tremendous loss," he said.
Aff characterized Whitehead as a leader willing to tackle tough issues.
"She took on the union and maintained her dignity at her own expense," he said. "I fear the new board members have misinterpreted what the voters said to them on Nov. 4."
The strike was painful to the whole community, he said, but voters were angry at the district, the teachers and the union. But "they only had one option available to them on the ballot."
Whitehead, who grew up in Virginia, was appointed Marysville superintendent in June 2001. Previously an assistant superintendent, she took over for Richard "Dick" Eisenhauer after the board decided not to extend his contract.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
