For Immediate Release
May 11, 2023
Marysville School District faces layoffs due to budget shortfall
The Marysville School District is facing significant financial challenges and must take steps to prepare a balanced budget for the 2023 - 2024 school year, including staff layoffs in the process.
Msvl. WA - The Marysville School District's financial challenges are due to declining enrollment, inadequate state funding, failure to pass the levy in 2022, and the end of federal ESSER funding. The district must make some difficult decisions to reduce spending to make up for the shortfall to balance the budget, including giving layoff notices to staff in all areas across the schools and district. The district has already reduced district-level administration and educational programs and has frozen spending in most areas for the remainder of the school year.
To plan for the 2023 - 2024 school year budget, the district reviewed each operating fund, including expenditures and revenues, staffing for administrators, and certificated and classified employees. The district's goal is to be fully transparent in this process. To this end, the district has conferred with bargaining groups to provide information on the state of the budget. The district updates families, staff, and the community as new information becomes available.
The district has watched the revenue forecast from the state closely. While school districts will see some increases in state funding, more is needed to compensate for the district's shortfall.
The school district recognizes the budget reductions will affect our students, families, and staff and that this is a challenging time for everyone. We are not alone in these challenges; school districts, businesses, and industries across the nation are facing similar economic challenges.
Further reductions for the Marysville School District may mean larger class sizes, fewer elective courses, and impacts in other areas in our schools and district. Staff will face layoffs and may be asked to make concessions. Unfortunately, the first round of layoffs includes teachers, as the district must notify them by May 15.
The district is working hard to find ways to reduce expenditures without sacrificing the quality of education that our students deserve. "The school district will continue to explore all options and work hard to make reductions that do not negatively impact our students," said Dr. Robbins, Superintendent.
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Contact:
Jodi Runyon, Director of Communications,
Engagement and Outreach
jodi_runyon@msd25.org
(360) 965-0005