Washington State Superintendent appoints Special Administrator to Marysville schools
MARYSVILLE—State Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced the appointment of Dr. Arthur Jarvis as the special administrator to oversee and carry out the financial conditions imposed on the Marysville School District through binding conditions by OSPI’s financial oversight committee. Reykdal wrote that the appointment of a special administrator is “an unprecedented step” but is necessary for the […]
Learning Loss: Four years after the pandemic, student proficiency down nationally
More than four years have passed since Bothell High School became the nation’s first school to shut down during the pandemic in February 2020. Their closure set a precedent, one which generated controversy across the nation. During the pandemic, some states ordered schools to be closed, others allowed districts to decide, and a few states […]
Fewer than half of Washington students are hitting grade level
On September 10, OSPI released its K-12 Report Card for the 2023-24 school year. Following national trends, fewer than half of Washington students met academic proficiency. Testing was over grades 3-8 and 10. In Washington state, only 50.3% of students met ELA standards, 39.7% met math standards, and 43.5% met science standards in their spring […]
OSPI publishes guidance for limiting cell phone use in class
OLYMPIA—Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal released OSPI guidance for schools to limit cell phone use in class as a way to promote better mental health and digital literacy in Washington schools. With cell phone use nearly universal for high school students and growing in elementary school, the majority of teachers are looking for comprehensive school […]
Reykdal reveals “lost confidence” in Letter to Marysville School District
MARYSVILLE—Washington state Superintendent Chris Reykdal reveals his lack of confidence in the Marysville School District to straighten its financial situation in his August 28 notice to the district and Superintendent Zachary Robbins. He also placed the school district under additional financial monitoring. “I have lost confidence that the district has the decision-making tools or current […]
School consolidations on table in wake of Marysville SD financial woes
MARYSVILLE—On Behalf of the Board, Acting President for the Marysville School District, Connor Krebbs in a press release, is urging “families, staff, and community members to come together to support students” in wake of Washington State Auditor’s recent audit report, finding the district’s budget crisis to be “extremely urgent.” “For far too long, Washington State has overburdened school […]
Marysville School District crisis ‘extremely urgent,’ audit finds, investigation underway
MARYSVILLE—The Marysville School District took another hit this week after the Washington State Auditor released its recent audit report, finding the district’s budget crisis to be “extremely urgent.” “I must stress that it is a rare and alarming audit result,” wrote State Auditor Pat McCarthy. The report, released August 5, found that the district “could […]
Snohomish County School Districts facing massive budget cuts
Multiple Snohomish County school districts face massive budget cuts entering the 2024-25 school year, including Northshore, Edmonds, Mukilteo, and Marysville. These budget cuts follow a trend of Washington schools struggling to balance their budgets amidst drops in enrollment and the nearing end of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds—monies earmarked under the American […]
More than 500,000 children will get $120 in nutrition benefits this summer
OLYMPIA—May 13, 2024—More than 500,000 Washington children will receive funds this summer to help buy food through a new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program called SUN Bucks. In December 2022, the federal government authorized a permanent, nationwide Summer EBT program to support children’s access to food during the summer months. The Department of Social […]
Liias’ inclusive LGBTQ+ learning bill signed into law
OLYMPIA—Legislation to ensure the stories of LGBTQ+ Washingtonians are taught in schools was signed into law Monday, March 18, by Governor Jay Inslee. Senate Bill 5462, sponsored by Senator Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), requires school districts to adopt curriculum that covers inclusive, age-appropriate materials that tell the histories, contributions and perspectives of LGBTQ+ Washingtonians. “The contributions […]
