MARYSVILLE, Wash. — The Marysville School Board of Directors voted to part ways with Superintendent Dr. Zachary Robbinst amid a financial crisis that has led to state intervention.
An email to staff prior to the decision called it an "amicable separation."
"Through no fault of either party, both the school board and Dr. Robbins believe that it is in the best interest of the district and the superintendent to move forward with a change in leadership," the email reads, in part.
The district credited Robbins for his successes in a rise in student test scores, an increase in AP participation rates, and the implementation of effective safety measures to lower behavioral incidents.
Dr. David Burgess, the interim human resources director, has been appointed as the interim superintendent.
Parents say the move gives them hope as the district grapples with a budget crisis.
"I left there thinking that we finally have someone who understands what our children and this school district deserve for a superintendent. And that's someone who's going to look out for them and their wellbeing instead of worrying about themselves," said parent Kara Shively.
While Robbins' contract goes through 2027, the severance begins immediately. Robbins agreed to waive his full contract payout in light of the budget issues.
The decision comes after the Marysville School District entered into binding financial conditions with the state after it could not submit a balanced budget. The move was to save the district from insolvency.
In September, the state announced that Dr. Arthur Jarvis would serve as special administrator to the Marysville School District as they work to navigate the unprecedented financial strain facing the district.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction says without intervention, the district could face a catastrophic deficit within the next few years.
If Marysville School District's leaders' spending doesn’t meet the criteria set by Reykdal, the district -- comprised of nearly 10,000 students -- stands at risk of being dissolved altogether.
Reykdal told the school board at the beginning of the year, "I have lost confidence that the district has the decision-making tools or current personnel necessary to fix its financial situation on their own."
The district puts part of the blame on two failed levees that would have yielded $25 million in funding. They add that they continue to see enrollment numbers dip post-COVID and say they are struggling to maintain pay raises secured by teachers during the pandemic.
With enhanced oversight by the state, Marysville leaders are currently forbidden from hiring, handing out employee bonuses, and purchasing technology, among other things.
KING 5's Maddie White and Helen Smith contributed to this report.