Thursday’s school board meeting was a lesson in arithmetic for the Marysville District.
During the span of one meeting, the district subtracted two days from the school calendar, added five years to the superintendent’s contract and watched the ratio of board members-to-seats become a fraction.
Board member Amy Powers tearfully announced that she would be stepping down from the five-member board effective Monday. The 10-year member said she and her husband are moving and their new home will not be within the boundaries of the district, making her unqualified for the seat.
Powers explained that work on the home, which is reportedly still in Union County, progressed more quickly than expected, prompting the sudden departure.
“It’s been a total blessing,” Powers said of her time on the board.
Fellow board members reflected on the passion Powers brought to her work.
“You’ve been a real cheerleader for Marysville,” board president Sue Devine said.
Superintendent Diane Allen called Powers an “absolute champion for kids,” noting her focus on helping those students who sometimes fall through the cracks.
“Thanks for being that person for kids,” Allen said, noting that she would continue to rely on Powers’ ability to gather volunteers.
Powers, who has family members working and attending classes in the district, said she would still be available in the capacity as levy attempts loom on the horizon.
“I’m sad to leave but you guys aren’t really getting rid of me,” she said.
The remaining board members have 30 days to select a replacement. Devine said the board would follow the same process it used five years ago to fill the seat currently held by Nan Savidge.
Interested individuals can apply to be considered for the job. In a release today, the district outlined the process for potential candidates.
Applications can be obtained at the board of education office, 1000 Edgewood Dr., or on the district website. Applicants must be at least 18-years-old, a registered voter and must have lived in the district for at least 30 days.
Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 29.
Students and staff in the Marysville district will also be receiving two additional vacation days around the Christmas holiday. The board voted 5-0 to add Dec. 20 and 21 as non-school days on this year’s calendar. That Monday and Tuesday fall immediately before the district’s Christmas break, which runs through Jan. 4.
Allen said this has been a stressful year and the additional two days can help students and staff unwind and prepare to return energized for the second half of the year. She said the extra days would also help staff members prepare for family events over the break.
“It’s so obvious how hard everyone is working,” Devine said.
Allen said it can be difficult to keep the attention of students during the days leading up to the holiday vacation and the break will allow teachers to motivate students to refocus when they return.
Board member Dick Smith said recent building tours have made it apparent that there are tensions building within some classrooms. He said the upheaval of the last two years has left some students needing to relearn the routines of a school day.
“Students are under a lot of pressure,” Smith said. “They haven’t had the socialization that we would expect them to have.”
Savidge noted that many districts canceled classes around the Thanksgiving holiday, calling the added time mental health days. She noted that canceling classes with a little more warning allows parents to plan better for any childcare adjustments they may need.
The board also unanimously approved a five-year contract extension for Allen. The new contract, which begins Aug. 1, will pay the superintendent a base salary of $187,000 per year, with a 3% increase each year.
Outside of the salary, the contract also includes other compensation, such as an annuity payment equal to 13.5% of her salary, district offset of Allen’s State Teacher’s Retirement System payments, absorption of her Medicare payroll contribution, life insurance coverage and $100-per-month stipend for mobile communication,
Board members did not mince words when expressing their support for Allen.
“We’re on a great trajectory,” Smith said, adding “In many ways we are the benchmark that other districts want to be.”
Savidge said she appreciated Allen’s ability to get the entire district headed in the same direction toward the vision she has for the future.
Devine noted the quality of the staff Allen has surrounded herself with. She noted that other educators at conferences often comment about the position Marysville is in. She only wished members of the community could hear those comments.
“You (the residents) may not realize how special it is here,” Devine said.
Allen said when she came to the district, Marysville was a hidden gem and her only challenge was to “shine it up.” Giving educators permission to teach in ways that engaged their passion was all the polish needed, she said.
“I really think in this district, the sky’s the limit,” she said.
Board members also said they appreciated her willingness to commit to the district for another five years.
“The bottom line is, this is a great place to be,” Allen said.