MARYSVILLE, Wash. — In Marysville, members from all over the community and the district’s labor groups showed up at the Marysville School District headquarters, ready to rally against the district and school board.
“The administration team is just failing us, quite frankly,” said the Service Employees International Union’s 10-month president
After speaking to many parents, union representatives, and members, that’s a sentiment felt by most.
KIRO 7 reached out to the Marysville School District for comments about concerns the community is expressing against the district, and we’re told they were unavailable. However, they sent us a copy of a press release earlier Monday morning.
That full press release reads:
“The Marysville School District is aware of a rally planned by individuals from the district’s labor groups and community before the regularly scheduled school board meeting tomorrow, February 5, 2024. The rally may draw some attention from local media, which encouraged the district to provide a statement to help build an understanding of the current situation.
The Marysville School District is in binding conditions with the State, meaning we do not have enough revenues to pay for expenditures. The reported deficit was $17.5M initially, but with a healthier ending fund balance from the 2022 - 2023 school year and the financial team’s work to implement systems, including collaboration with the State and the Northwest Education Services District, the district was able to reduce the deficit. In the last communication to staff and the public, the district shared that the deficit is now approximately $5.9M, but more work is needed to reduce it further.
School district finance is complex. As any organization operates throughout a fiscal year, the bottom line budget numbers fluctuate The Marysville School District is aware of a rally planned by individuals from the district’s labor groups and community before the regularly scheduled school board meeting tomorrow, February 5, 2024. The rally may draw some attention from local media, which encouraged the district to provide a statement to help build an understanding of the current situation.
The Marysville School District is in binding conditions with the State, meaning we do not have enough revenues to pay for expenditures. The reported deficit was $17.5M initially, but with a healthier ending fund balance from the 2022 - 2023 school year and the financial team’s work to implement systems, including collaboration with the State and the Northwest Education Services District, the district was able to reduce the deficit. In the last communication to staff and the public, the district shared that the deficit is now approximately $5.9M, but more work is needed to reduce it further.
School district finance is complex. As any organization operates throughout a fiscal year, the bottom line budget numbers fluctuate as revenues come in and expenditures go out, which can create confusion, especially for those not directly involved in the day-to-day financial operations of the school district.
“The Board of Directors understands the financial challenges facing our school district and appreciates the dedication of Superintendent Robbins not only to the success of our students but also to work through the difficult financial times that he inherited coming into the school district,” said Wade Rinehardt, President, Board of Directors. “We support his efforts,” he added.
“During Dr. Robbins’s leadership, he successfully passed a levy measure in the spring of 2023, which helped the district’s financial State after two failed attempts the previous year. Without that levy passage, the situation would be much worse,” said Connor Krebbs, Vice President, Board of Directors.
The district believes collaboration is the key to finding solutions to build an understanding of the budget. The district will continue to meet with labor groups now and in the future to help develop an understanding of the district’s financial status and budget.
“We are committed to collaborating to explore all options and propose constructive solutions to address these challenges. We believe, together, we can ensure a strong financial future for our school district and continue providing a quality education for all students,” said Superintendent Dr. Robbins.
The school district encourages all parties to take the time to be informed about the district’s budget, get the facts on the numbers, and the steps being taken to reduce the deficit further. For more information about the budget, including communication updates, visit https://www.msd25.org/page/budget-2023-2024.
“The Board of Directors understands the financial challenges facing our school district and appreciates the dedication of Superintendent Robbins not only to the success of our students but also to work through the difficult financial times that he inherited coming into the school district,” said Wade Rinehardt, President, Board of Directors. “We support his efforts,” he added.
“During Dr. Robbins’s leadership, he successfully passed a levy measure in the spring of 2023, which helped the district’s financial State after two failed attempts the previous year. Without that levy passage, the situation would be much worse,” said Connor Krebbs, Vice President of the board of Directors.
The district believes collaboration is the key to finding solutions to build an understanding of the budget. The district will continue to meet with labor groups now and in the future to help develop an understanding of the district’s financial status and budget.
“We are committed to collaborating to explore all options and propose constructive solutions to address these challenges. We believe, together, we can ensure a strong financial future for our school district and continue providing a quality education for all students,” said Superintendent Dr. Robbins.
The school district encourages all parties to take the time to be informed about the district’s budget, get the facts on the numbers, and the steps being taken to reduce the deficit further. For more information about the budget, including communication updates, visit https://www.msd25.org/page/budget-2023-2024.”
As mentioned in that press release, the district highlights a change in its financial deficit. Once listed as $17.5 million, the district claims it is now $5.9 million.
Naturally, the community wanted to know where that money came from and why there was even an indiscretion.
Jalleh Hooman is a concerned parent and community member with a child enrolled in one of the district’s schools. She has gotten heavily involved with the district and its alleged mishandling.
“It’s really disrespectful in my opinion to make it seem as if we’re not smart enough to understand,” Hooman said after reading the press release.
The bottom line here is that parents and staff are worried that programs, services, and quality of education will be lost or cut because of the uncertainty surrounding the district’s finances and handling.
With the meeting underway, updates will continue here on KIRO 7.
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