MSD E-News - Special Edition
Addressing misconceptions, sharing facts, and some good news
November 27, 2023
This special edition of the E-News is developed to provide our school district community with facts and information about the district’s financial state and to address some misinformation and rumors posted or shared. We also want to take the opportunity to share some good news. Through it all, we have incredible students and staff, and we must not lose sight of the importance of our jobs as professional educators, all working together to educate and support our students.
The Marysville School District had a double levy failure in the spring of 2022: February and April. This resulted in the loss of $25 million in levy funds. It is critical to note that school districts use levy dollars to support basic education and fill the gap between state funding and what it costs to run and support the education and extracurricular activities for students in the Marysville School District. The state’s funding model doesn’t cover most basic expenses. The State expects local levies to cover the gaps, and even that isn’t enough.
In February 2023, a lower levy tax rate per thousand than the 2022 was voted on and passed. This lower rate left $6 million of uncollected revenue on the table. The good news is the levy did pass in 2023, but the deficit created by a year of no funds left a big hole in the District’s revenue which the 2023 levy could not fill. After the departure of the Executive Director of Finance in February 2023, the Superintendent hired two financial advisors to step in and complete an in-depth audit of the District’s financial status. The financial audit uncovered a combination of factors negatively impacting the district’s finances. Those factors included the failed levy measures, declining enrollment, the loss of the COVID recovery funds, the gap in the state’s funding model, and past unsustainable financial obligations agreed upon with employee bargaining groups.
It is important to note that the District is not in this financial crisis due to the misappropriation or mishandling of taxpayer dollars. All funds are monitored carefully at the district level with oversight from the state auditor's office. The District has had no negative financial audit findings in many years.
Click HERE to read the full story on the current financial crisis the Marysville School District is experiencing.
A reminder that the District will host a Community Budget Meeting tomorrow evening, November 28, 7:00 pm, at the MPHS Commons (cafeteria) located at 5611 108th Street NE. The meeting will also be available to join via Zoom. Zoom Link: https://msd25.zoom.us/j/81819634061...View the press release here: https://5il.co/28ykd
Marysville School District Underperforming - one of the lowest-performing school districts in the County
Statewide data published by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) shows that the Marysville School District is one of the lowest-achieving school districts in Snohomish County. On Spring 2023 assessments, 36.3% of Marysville students met ELA standards, 24.2% met Math standards, and 32.6% met science standards.
One of the District’s priorities is improving student achievement. Spring test results continue to show that Marysville School District students are underperforming compared to others in the County and the state. The community has asked us to do better. The District underperformed relative to the neighboring Everett, Snohomish, Lake Stevens, and Arlington school districts and Washington State averages on English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science assessments. The Marysville School District falls behind these neighbors by 10% to nearly 30%. Since stepping into the superintendent role, Dr. Robbins' primary goal has been improving student achievement. Steps taken, such as a Cognia review at Sunnyside Elementary School and other measures, including a solid data management and tracking system, are the things that successful districts do nationwide. Sunnyside Elementary School was selected for an accreditation process through Cognia that takes a school through several steps of review, including looking at curriculum, instructional practices, demographics, and more. The review gives schools ideas on how to improve outcomes for students. Just one school was selected for the process with the plan to learn from the review and share it with other schools. We simply cannot continue to do what has been done for many years. We must discontinue practices that have not increased student achievement. So, while still in a financial crisis, the superintendent is making decisions to meet the needs of students and increase academic outcomes. These decisions are not always popular. Unfortunately, there are some who do not want to see our schools improve and use tactics to offset the true problem, such as sharing misinformation in an attempt to detract from the focus on improving academic achievement for students.
Highly Capable Program
Multiple questions have surfaced through public comments from staff, parents, and community members during school board meetings or on social media regarding the district’s Highly Capable Program (HiCap). During the month of October, changes were made to balance class sizes at Pinewood Elementary School. Pinewood is one of two elementary schools in the district that offer HiCap classes for students. The class sizes at Pinewood Elementary School for the Highly Capable Program were inappropriately low. Students were selected for the classes by teachers, so their class sizes would be equitable with others in the school. The district cannot afford to hold a class with 12 - 15 students while other classes have 28 - 30. The district is in the process of reviewing the program procedure, which will focus on meeting the needs of highly capable students and all students. This work is being done through a task force. You can learn more about the process on the dedicated webpage: https://www.msd25.org/page/highly-capable-program-updates. The Marysville School District will continue to have self-contained HiCap classrooms and establish structures to ensure HiCap students who did not select a self-contained program receive HiCap instruction.
Dr. Robbins’ Associations with Education Professionals
Dr. Robbins came into the Marysville School District with a distinguished background related to raising academic achievement, growing leaders through providing professional development to educators in the State of Nevada, and relationships with academic professionals across the nation. These types of professional relationships help leaders go from good to great. It has been shared on social media that Dr. Robbins financially gains from his association with professional organizations and has private businesses that he operates out of state. The Superintendent does not have a business that contracts with the district to receive payment. Dr. Robbins has not done any personal consulting in nearly three years and receives no personal gain from any collegial or professional organizations he belongs to. In addition, Dr. Robbins typically interviews candidates for top leadership positions in collaboration with a search firm after they have been selected and vetted by the firm, which makes a recommendation to advance finalists to the superintendent for consideration. Regarding claims referencing a relationship between Dr. Robbins and Cognia, Dr. Robbins’ role with Cognia is voluntary. He receives no compensation. Of course, he would not be involved in any accreditation review of any school within the Marysville School District.
Sharing some good news!
Civility in the Workplace Policy
During the November 20, 2023 meeting, the Marysville School District Board of Directors approved Policy 5161 - Civility in the Workplace for first reading. Established as a school district model policy by the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA), this policy has been adopted widely by many school districts around Washington State, as recommended by WSSDA.
Policy 5161 will ensure that the District’s personnel, students, and community members are treated with civility and that everyone feels safe and supported in the shared work for schools and students. Increased civility standards in direct alignment with the District’s Quality Service Standards and goals 2.4 and 4.1 of the Strategic Plan will improve student outcomes by establishing a consistent and safe environment and helping the district recruit and retain high-quality staff.
Volunteer Program Revamp
Last week, the Marysville School District made the exciting digital switch to an electronic form for the volunteer application process. Gone are the days of the District requiring volunteer applicants to complete and return a paper application packet. The new form is more efficient and user-friendly. The upgrade streamlines the volunteer registration and approval process, making it easier for individuals to sign up and contribute to our community schools. Applicants can complete the new electronic form on any smart device by visiting www.msd25.org/volunteer.
CTE Maritime Program at Totem Middle School
The Marysville School District’s Maritime educational program is up and running. Students currently have access to three classes: two high school level and one middle school level. All classes are based at the Totem Middle School campus and are led by teacher Bill Gable. These classes teach students foundational manufacturing principles, methods, techniques, and skills needed in Maritime manufacturing. Instruction includes Coast Salish cultural influences on the maritime industry, career exploration, manufacturing tools and equipment, print reading, measurement, vessel navigation, hand tools and equipment, and maritime and shop safety.
Drama Students Shine in Recent Performances
In recent weeks, students from different schools within the District have been working tirelessly to bring several fabulous theater productions to life. Earlier this month, Cedarcrest Middle School’s Drama Club thrilled its audiences with a production of “A Night at the Wax Museum,” a witty and charming comedy about wax museum figures that come to life. In addition, many from the community attended the Marysville High Schools Drama Club’s presentation of “CLUE,” a hilarious murder mystery production that was sure to entertain.
If you were unable to make it to one of these productions, stay tuned – our talented students are already hard at work on their spring productions! Coming in April: Marysville High School Drama Club presents “Grease,” a musical inspired by the 1978 film.
PTSA Reflections Art Program
The annual PTA Reflections Art Program is underway! Watch for more information on how students can show and share their creativity by submitting their art for the program. Categories for this year's theme, "I am hopeful because..." are Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.
Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Special Artist (all grades welcome).
Additional information on how students can participate will be shared on the district and school social media sites in the coming days. For more information, email msvlpta@gmail.com.