MARYSVILLE – State Sen. John McCoy has an interesting perspective on school funding.
McCoy, D-Tulalip, was at the first of three symposiums at the Marysville School District office Wednesday. Another event is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. and the final one Saturday at 10 a.m.
McCoy said he heard from constituents after the $230 million school bonds were defeated in April. They were upset that the state still is not properly funding public schools.
“The state is not holding up its share,” McCoy said. “When the state starts funding schools the way it should, folks will start taking care of these kinds of projects.”
McCoy said when he talks to people at public functions, they say they are interested in improving education. “But they don’t equate that to buildings,” he said.
People told him a very basic reason on why it failed. “They just weren’t ready for this,” he said.
That is why the district is hosting the symposiums. It wants to find out why people voted against the measure, and what they would support.
“What will pique their interest?” McCoy said of voters. “The district has to find out what that is to get buy-in for the project.”
The senator said historically Marysville has a tougher time passing bonds because it does not have the income level of surrounding areas. “Folks tend not to approve bonds and that hurts kids and education,” McCoy said.
Emily Wicks, communications director for the district, emphasized there are no new plans for another bond. The reason for the symposium is to gather feedback.
Five areas were set up to do just that. At one table, visitors could talk about “My vote.” What they liked and didn’t like about the bond measure. Table 2 was “Our vote,” where participants could discuss the community’s vote. The third table was where people discussed “Our community,” what they love about Marysville and what its biggest issues are. Table 4 was where people could weigh in about the good and bad of “Our school district.” The final area was where participants could tell what their “Construction priorities” are for schools.
Gordon Erdman, a member of the citizen advisory committee on the bond, said the community needs to keep the ball rolling, keeping the cycle going on bonds so schools don’t deteriorate further.
“We really don’t run them that often,” he said.
