MARYSVILLE, Wash. — It has been one week since Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction threatened to break ties with the Marysville School District if they do not get their finances in order.
District parents came together Tuesday night to share their frustrations, primarily over the financial and leadership issues and a "lack of willingness to partner with this community," said concerned parent J Hooman.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said in a letter to the district last week that they're assigning a so-called Financial Oversight Committee to manage their finances.
“The state stepping in at this point, I think, is a very good thing," said Hooman. "We're worried that programs are going to get cut or significantly altered."
She continued, "I believe that a lot is going to come to light.”
Reykdal said the district leaders' plan to close two schools and trim their educational offerings was previously approved by his office, but said they did not follow through on those plans and are spending more than estimated.
Hooman founded a group of concerned parents called the Marysville Community Coalition, and the group held a public meeting at Kellogg Marsh Grange Hall.
Corrective actions Reykdal said may be taken include placing the district under enhanced financial oversight, "and/or dissolution of the district," according to the letter.
"I can't imagine," said Hooman. "That would be terrible if that ended up being the case.”
The parent of a 10-year-old worries what could happen if the district doesn’t get its finances in order.
"I've heard that there is possibility that other surrounding school districts would essentially absorb different schools within our district. So part of us would be in Arlington and part of us would be in Lake Stevens, and potentially part of it would be Everett," said Hooman.
It's not just finances causing headaches for the state's top education official.
Earlier this month, Marysville School District's finance director accused the board and its superintendent, Zachary Robbins, of cronyism. Soon after, the head of Human Resource suddenly resigned. Days later, the school board president announced he was stepping down.
"A lot of what's occurred is really based upon incompetent leadership," said Hooman.
In a statement sent Wednesday, the school district said had requested a third-party investigation and was working to collect information about the allegations before it makes final decisions.
"The Board takes all allegations seriously and is fully committed to ensuring that the administration of the Marysville School District occurs with integrity and in accordance with the law," a district spokesperson said in a statement.
The board has secured legal counsel who will retain an investigator and advise the board.
"It is important that this process is conducted fairly," the spokesperson said.