August 30, 2024
Chris Reykdal, Superintendent of Public Instruction
Old Capital Building
P.O. Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
Sent via email: Chris.Reykdal@k12.wa.us
Cc: T.J.Kelly, OSPI Chief Financial Officer, Thomas.Kelly@k12.wa.us
Dear Superintendent Reykdal,
The Marysville School District Board of Directors received your letter dated August 28, 2024, regarding your decision to move the district into enhanced financial monitoring.
The board has witnessed and recognized the work the superintendent, district administration, and staff have done over the past year to overcome the financial burdens the Marysville School District is experiencing. We are pleased that the District has successfully met the first benchmark in binding conditions - a fund balance greater than zero.
The district has actively been working to address its financial situation by implementing many of the requirements outlined in your letter over the course of this past year, and, in addition, the district made nearly $13.5M in cuts prior to the 2022 - 2023 school year, $12M prior to the 2023 - 2024 school year, and most recently an approximately $8M as we planned for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Requirements outlined in your letter that have been addressed or implemented include the items listed in italics:
A district-wide hiring freeze of all non-certificated staff, with business-critical exemptions needing approval by the special administrator.
Superintendent Robbins initiated a hiring freeze last spring and again this summer, authorizing only essential staff positions to be filled to meet the needs of student safety and special education student support services.
A freeze on all discretionary school building budgets (non-personnel costs).
School budgets were reduced, and fiscal controls were implemented for the district and schools regarding the use of procurement cards, purchase orders, and encumbrances at the beginning of the spring of 2023 and fully implemented for the 2023 - 2024 school year.
Postponement of any planned curriculum adoption until the district exits binding conditions.
Curriculum purchases were put on hold in 2022. There has not been a curriculum adoption in MSD since 2021 when iReady Math was adopted for elementary schools.
No new stipends for administrative staff until the district exits binding conditions.
In the recent round of budget reductions, stipends are not to be issued except for those already approved in negotiated agreements.
No state or local-funded travel for administrative staff.
Travel has been limited since 2022 and has not been approved unless it is a provision of negotiated agreements or not at the district's expense.
Consultation with the Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors about the impacts of budget reductions, including the requirements listed in this letter.
The district holds quarterly meetings with the Tribes and has kept them apprised of the district’s budget status. The district will continue to meet and, during those meetings, provide the impacts of the budget reductions as appropriate.
Along with the actions implemented above, the district is taking proactive steps to train human resources and fiscal staff on appropriate account coding, reporting, and cleaning up of inaccurate records and data.
As you know, the district recently hired a new executive director of human resources and an executive director of finance. The new directors stepped into their roles and quickly began building structures to ensure financial stabilization for Marysville’s future.
The Board of Directors is committed to the success of the Marysville School District. The district leaders are committed to the same. Together, and alongside the FOC and the newly appointed administrative specialist, we are dedicated to a positive future for the Marysville School District and, most importantly, the students that we serve.
Sincerely,
Connor Krebbs, President
Marysville School District Board of Directors