School’s out in Marysville. We have said farewell to 740 graduates and retiring staff. Many of our 1,300 employees are taking well-deserved vacations, going to summer school, or working on National Board certification. However there is still much work to be done during the summer.
To borrow the KOMO tag line — “We’re still here working for you.” Teams of custodians descend on schools to refurbish more than 1 million square feet of carpet and tile, making schools sparkle for the start of school.
District budget reductions, written on paper, are translated into real-life. Valued employees are laid off while others are transferred to help pick up the work load. Often that means plans A, B and C to make do with fewer employees — while focusing as many resources on student achievement as possible.
Free lunches are provided in several neighborhoods thanks to federal reimbursement and our partnerships with Tulalip Tribes, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA and others.
Bargaining with six union groups continues. Effective mid-July, the legislature is requiring us to take money from single employees and to reduce the cost of family health care coverage.
Teachers, like nurses and doctors, are required to continue and sharpen their professional skills. Teachers attend summer school or week long institutes provided by district staff. Quil Ceda and Tulalip Elementary teachers are presenting two conferences — and being recognized nationally — for their teamwork and improved student learning.
Our maintenance staff completes dozens of small projects. Larger projects include a $420,000 lighting conservation grant and the bidding of a transportation cooperative facility — with the help of $8 million in state funding.
Technology updates computers, software and the district network. A recent technology review showed that we have excellent fiber connectivity, still exceed current standards for classroom computers, and need lots of work on our servers and telephones. Much of that work must await a future technology levy.
Transportation, one of the most cost-effective in the state, re-routes buses to maximize efficiency. Mechanics go through each of our 100 buses to make sure that we pass Washington State Patrol bus inspections with flying colors.
Principals meet in August to plan the year ahead. This year, the focus is on a new teacher evaluation system and continued work on district goals for student achievement. In spite of repeated budget reductions, our schools continue to make progress in third-grade reading, eighth-grade Algebra and on-time-graduation.
Secretaries return the second week in August to welcome new students to the school, make sure that all students are properly registered, have emergency information, and provide information for parents.
District grounds crews do their best to keep up with the maintenance of grounds and fields — a greater challenge each year as we reduce staffing. We partner with the city of Marysville who helps maintain public use fields over the summer.
Summer school is greatly reduced due to funding losses; however we do provide credit retrieval and some jump-start summer opportunities for students.
Supplies and materials are ordered and restocked for the year. Our print shop makes millions of copies of instructional materials for students for the new school year.
The Back to School Guide goes out in August with information on bus routes, immunizations, school calendar, annual notices and much more information that parents and students need to know.
Yes, the pace of summer slows just a bit. There is time for the occasional evening barbecue and we all try to squeeze in a bit of vacation. Hiring, board meetings and much other work continues however to ensure that our schools are ready for your child in the fall. District staff, and our school board, are busy year-round — working for you.
Dr. Larry Nyland is the Superintendent of the Marysville School District and can be reached at 360-653-0800 or via email at superintendents_office@msvl.k12.wa.us.
