By Connor Krebbs / For The Herald
Marysville and Tulalip families, staff and community members:
As acting president of the Marysville School Board, I am writing to you with a sense of urgency about the challenging financial situation that our district currently faces. It is no secret that many school districts across our state are grappling with the effects of inadequate state funding of schools, declining student enrollment, inflation like we haven’t seen in decades, and — for Marysville uniquely — a double levy failure.
Officially, five other school districts in Washington state are in binding conditions, but several more districts have had to borrow from other funds to make ends meet. In February of this year, the state Office of the Supereintendent of Public Instruction posted the 2022-23 School Financial Health Indicators Model, which identifies 19 school districts that fall under “Financial Warning,” four of which are districts within Snohomish County. For far too long, Washington state has overburdened school districts with unfunded mandates and under-delivered on the promise to fully fund general education, and those decisions are coming home to roost all across the state.
Our schools are the heart of our community, not only for the education they provide but also for the stability and support they offer to our children and families. However, as we navigate these financially challenging times, we must face the reality that additional cuts will be necessary to ensure the sustainability of our educational programs. This includes considering options like consolidating schools and making other difficult budgetary adjustments.
Discussions around budget cuts and school consolidation can evoke strong emotions. Our schools represent more than just buildings; they symbolize hope, learning and growth for our children. That said, our current situation makes it necessary for us to prioritize the long-term health of our educational system over short-term comforts. Our goal is to protect the quality of education we provide, and this can only happen through collaboration, open dialogue and coming together as a community.
We have faced similar challenges before. In May 2009, the Marysville Globe published an article in which the first sentence read, “Marysville School District facing difficult decisions,” adding, “The Marysville School District is currently facing the most significant budget shortfall that we’ve seen in decades.” This was due to familiar culprits: declining student enrollment, inadequate state funding and inflation. During these critical inflection points, the community, staff, and labor groups stepped up and offered intentional solutions with promising results. Our community cares about the success of our schools.
Today, state leaders are calling into question the financial viability of the Marysville School District. While the district understands we have work to do and are committed to taking the necessary actions to get us to a healthy place, I would encourage the state to look inward and determine whether or not its school funding decisions are student-focused.
The direction of our school district is still in our hands, but we must act now. To that end, I call upon our community members, teachers, staff and labor organizations to engage in constructive discussions about how we can collectively contribute to finding viable solutions that meet the needs of our students while acknowledging our financial realities. The success of our schools is directly tied to the strength of our local community.
Now is the time for creative thinking and cooperative action. Through purposeful communication and shared responsibility, we can collectively identify areas where we can strengthen our schools and maintain the high standards our children deserve. The path ahead will not be easy, but it is possible if we work together.
The district must adopt a 2024-25 school year budget by Aug. 31, but the work does not stop there. Please watch for upcoming dates for community roundtables to further explore solutions together.
Let us rise to the occasion and demonstrate the resilience that defines our community. Together, we can not only navigate these challenges but also emerge stronger, ready to invest in our future generations.
With gratitude and resolve, thank you for your continued support and commitment to the education of our children.
Connor Krebbs is acting president of the Marysville School District Board of Directors.
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