If your son or daughter went trick or treating at Halloween and dumped the neighbor’s entire goodie bowl in their bucket, most people would say that is too much.
The Marysville Schools are asking for money again this November after the school board voted to put a 5.5-mill, 10-year levy on the ballot and according to those that went to the ballot box that is also too much.
After turning down a new money request last year, voters, who only have so much money, continue to question why they have to sacrifice part of their salaries to pay teachers and administrators who make much more than they do each year. With this new levy attempt, it makes us wonder how the district can walk back the way of the taxpayer and make them feel like they are part of the conversation and not just a sugar daddy with a credit card.
Superintendent Diane Allen recently acknowledged the district is in need of a win right now signaling to us that the school system as a whole is at a low point. We agree because staff members continue to come forward to talk about how discouraged they feel indicating change is needed.
One easy win we said to Allen directly was to fall on the sword and take less money herself. We feel like that is a powerful move for the taxpayers and staff showing how much she believes in the mission.
Under her five-year contract, she is paid $187k per year plus benefits resulting in a total of more than $1M. By taking a cut in pay, we think it demonstrates her willingness to sacrifice along with taxpayers and connects with voters because right now they don’t know who to go to with questions or concerns.
Overall, we think it’s healthy for people to talk openly to the school board and administration so they can use the feedback to solve problems, not just pat them on the back and tell them the levy will pass. As of now, we don’t think it will. Again something needs to change, otherwise another failure will bring on more cuts which could come in the form of teacher positions and sports.
So as the district strategizes this spring about a marketing campaign, we hope they widen their pool of people they poll so they can get a better sense of where the community stands because the slogan “we deserve it” doesn’t win in November.