Mallory Gruben

Marci Larsen

Monroe’s interim superintendent hired at $260K

Marci Larsen is set to lead the school district for 2022-23.

Marci Larsen
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Now, students can take a mental health day without cutting class

A new law requires school districts rewrite their manuals to add mental health as a reason for an excused absence.

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Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. The college’s youth-reengagement program has lost its funding, and around 150 students are now without the money they need to attend classes. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Monroe nixes college program, leaving 150-plus students in the lurch

For years, the Monroe School District footed the bill for “U3” students, who have gotten mixed messages about why that’s ending.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. The college’s youth-reengagement program has lost its funding, and around 150 students are now without the money they need to attend classes. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marci Larsen

Monroe chooses ex-Mukilteo schools chief as interim leader

Marci Larsen retired in 2019 after 17 years as Mukilteo superintendent. Some Monroe parents were critical of the choice.

Marci Larsen
A Volunteers of America Western Washington crisis counselor talks with somebody on the phone Thursday, July 28, 2022, in at the VOA Behavioral Health Crisis Call Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘One call for all’: 988 mental health hotline quadruples Everett staff

Calls to the new Everett center have jumped 47% since the three-digit number rolled out. Gov. Inslee toured the facility Thursday.

A Volunteers of America Western Washington crisis counselor talks with somebody on the phone Thursday, July 28, 2022, in at the VOA Behavioral Health Crisis Call Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Inside the second page of Book 1 of the Snohomish County Deeds records on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Book 1’: Bookbinder’s daughter uncovers records predating Everett

As soon as Susan DuPont found the handwritten record book with deeds from 1872, she knew “this is significant history.”

Inside the second page of Book 1 of the Snohomish County Deeds records on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People begin to arrive at Harborview Park in the late afternoon on Thursday, July 21, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Decades before Everett’s founding, Harborview Park was ‘Western New York’

Timber speculators pictured a Confederate-themed city at the site of one of Snohomish County’s first saw mills.

People begin to arrive at Harborview Park in the late afternoon on Thursday, July 21, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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Monroe school officials ink nearly $400K resignation deal with Blasko

Some parents were ruffled by the details in the agreement with the superintendent, but relieved to have a resolution.

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Way to Grow early learning center along Dogwood Drive on Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Everyone was just blindsided’: Everett child care center to close

The decision from an off-site business manager leaves nearly 60 families in a lurch to find last-minute alternatives.

Way to Grow early learning center along Dogwood Drive on Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Teachers get off the Cool Bus to prepare for their next stop Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Presidents Elementary School in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Broccoli in the brownies’: New takes on summer school boost attendance

Lakewood schools are trying a summer camp-style approach. Meanwhile, Arlington buses books and math games directly to kids.

Teachers get off the Cool Bus to prepare for their next stop Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Presidents Elementary School in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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Monroe schools wants to know what public seeks in an interim leader

The board is on track to interview candidates July 28, though it’s unclear if the community can watch

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United Way of Snohomish County CEO Craig Chambers at their headquarters on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New CEO expected to reinvigorate United Way of Snohomish County

The nonprofit lost staff and funding during the pandemic. Craig Chambers wants to turn things around.

United Way of Snohomish County CEO Craig Chambers at their headquarters on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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Search begins in earnest for Monroe interim superintendent

Meanwhile, Superintendent Justin Blasko is still on leave, and school officials are keeping quiet about his future.

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Jen Hirman

State PTA director appointed to Everett School Board

Jen Hirman brings more than a decade of education policy work and local PTA involvement to the role.

Jen Hirman
Students line up and wait to begin their procession during Lake Stevens High School’s 2022 commencement ceremony Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Pandemic, protests leave indelible mark on high school grads

In speeches, students reflect on challenges they overcame and hopes for future

Students line up and wait to begin their procession during Lake Stevens High School’s 2022 commencement ceremony Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Emily Dykstra, an 8th grade English teacher at Cavelero Mid High School, stands in front of the school on the final day of classes Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Dykstra will be headed to Poland at the end of June to further her education on the Holocaust, which she intends to use to help teach her students about the subject. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens teacher brings Holocaust history to life

Amid a statewide push for mandatory education on Nazi atrocities, Emily Dykstra will spend part of her summer at Auschwitz.

Emily Dykstra, an 8th grade English teacher at Cavelero Mid High School, stands in front of the school on the final day of classes Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Dykstra will be headed to Poland at the end of June to further her education on the Holocaust, which she intends to use to help teach her students about the subject. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Angel of the Winds Arena will become Snohomish County's first COVID-19 isolation and quarantine facility. (Sara Bruestle/ The Herald)

Amid criticism, Everett gun show on graduation day postponed

In the wake of the nation’s second-deadliest school shooting, parents expressed concerns over the adjacent, coinciding events.

Angel of the Winds Arena will become Snohomish County's first COVID-19 isolation and quarantine facility. (Sara Bruestle/ The Herald)
Reverend Kate Kilroy makes a heart with her hands towards passing vehicles during a rally backing LGBTQ+ students on Monday, June 6, 2022, in front of the Marysville School District Service Center in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Marysville schools pause parental consent plan for LGBTQ, other clubs

After experts said it could infringe on student rights — and lead to costly legal battles — board members hit the brakes.

Reverend Kate Kilroy makes a heart with her hands towards passing vehicles during a rally backing LGBTQ+ students on Monday, June 6, 2022, in front of the Marysville School District Service Center in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)