MARYSVILLE – Of paramount concern to the Marysville School District is keeping its students, staff and even the community safe.
To that end, it plans to pass a resolution at its meeting tonight asking for stricter controls over Bakken crude oil that passes through Marysville by rail.
The volume of oil transported through town is expected to increase, the resolution says.
The Federal Pipleline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a safety alert Jan. 2, 2014, saying oil obtained from Bakken Shale is more explosive, which was evident in 2013 when a derailment in Lac Megantic, Quebec, killed 47 people. In the past three months, three other crude oil rail car explosions have occurred.
The district’s resolution encourages Congress to pass legislation introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., to require stronger tank car design, while banning the use of older models that don’t meet new federal requirements.
The resolution asks for special speed limits through towns to minimize the potential for derailment.
It asks to minimize the volatile nature of the oil at the demarcation point to eliminate risks for explosions and fires.
And it asks for the state legislature to require disclosure of amount and type of oil products being moved, along with routes so communities can be fully informed of the risks.
The railway has said previously that last item actually makes the transportation of such products more dangerous because terrorists would know when and where such volatile products would be located.
The resolution also says all of its schools are within a potential rail car blast zone like the one in Quebec. Along with that, Marysville also uses many railway crossings with schools buses carrying students.
Also at the meeting, which starts at 6:30 in the district office, the board is expected to approve a five-year, $346,526 contract with the company Naviance. It provides online curriculum to help students in the district to plan for the future.
And, secondary schools will give student reports and Principal Gloria Henderson and staff will give a report on Liberty Elementary.
In the work session, which starts at 4:30 p.m., a report will be given on equity of discipline in Maryville schools. There also will be a budget update and a discussion on professional learning.
