By Jason Thompson
On Feb. 11, we are asking voters to consider a Capital Levy to fund replacement of two schools with the greatest facility needs, and to fund health, safety and security improvements throughout the district and jump-start a cycle of improvement that we hope to continue in the future. Marysville School District has passed one bond in 30 years. The last successful measure in 2006 built Grove Elementary and Marysville Getchell High schools, replaced the track and field at Quil Ceda Stadium and provided support for health, safety and security district-wide. Prior to that, 16 years had passed since one successful measure in 1990. Bonds and Capital Levy tax measures are the only way to fund the building, replacing, remodeling or making facility improvements for public schools.
Compared to our region, Marysville has one of the lowest total amounts of taxes paid to the local school district. The graphic at the top of this column shows the amounts neighboring school districts are paying. Most of them have maintained a cycle of continuous improvement with school facilities. Districts marked with an asterisk are proposing even more taxes with new measures on the Feb. 11 ballot.
Passage of this Capital Levy measure would rebuild the two oldest Marysville schools with the greatest facility needs, Liberty Elementary (1951) and Cascade Elementary (1955). Each building would be replaced with efficient buildings that maximize space for learning and improve student safety. The outdated conditions and systems in those schools make it fiscally responsible to replace the buildings rather than invest in major improvements and upgrades. By rebuilding those schools, we will be able to build modern, energy-efficient buildings that serve our students and community and saves taxpayers dollars. The Capital Levy would also fund health, safety, and security improvements throughout the district such as adding electronic access controls and additional cameras at our schools. As members of our Marysville and Tulalip community, I hope you will take some time to learn more about the Capital Levy. For additional resources and information, go to www.msd25.org/o/district/page/capital-levy-2020 and join us at the community forum at Cascade Elementary, 1/23, 5:30 p.m.) for a presentation and tour. If you miss this opportunity and would like to learn more or schedule a building tour at Liberty, call us at 360-965-0094, and we will be happy to arrange a visit.
I want to thank our families and community members for taking the time to be informed.
For details email or call Mike Sullivan, executive director of Finance and Operations, mike_sullivan@msd25.org, 360-965-0094.
Jason Thompson is superintendent of the Marysville School District, which runs a monthly column in this newspaper. email superintendents_office@msd25.org or call 360-965-0001.
