MARYSVILLE - The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has informed Marysville School District leadership that the Financial Oversight Committee supervising MSD will dissolve, effectively downgrading the severity of the state's financial oversight of the district.
The Marysville School District has been operating with state financial oversight since 2023, and began operating under the supervision of a Financial Oversight Committee in August 2024.
To be clear, the district remains under binding conditions with state oversight as work continues to stabilize the budget in the long term.
However, OSPI’s decision to dissolve the Financial Oversight Committee and scale back its oversight marks a positive step forward, recognizing the progress made so far through various community efforts.
As part of its decision to make this change, the state cites “dramatic improvement” the district has made over the past 15 months, including the district’s strong, proactive leadership and recent hiring decisions, as well as improved internal controls over staffing, budgeting, and expenditures.
“I want to recognize the steady leadership of our Board of Directors throughout this process. Their commitment to transparency, responsible decision-making, and the long-term health of our district has provided stability during an exceptionally challenging period. We are grateful for the work of Dr. Burgess and Dr. Jarvis, who laid the groundwork for positive outcomes,” MSD Superintendent Dr. Deborah Rumbaugh said in a statement.
“I am also deeply grateful for the engagement and sacrifice demonstrated by our staff, families, and community partners. Their willingness to come together, ask hard questions, and support necessary – but often difficult – changes has been essential in getting us to this point.”
State officials indicated the district could be released from state oversight completely by November of 2026, should the remaining financial binding conditions be met.
“We must be candid: our financial picture over the next year remains fragile. Binding conditions underscore the seriousness of our situation and the need for disciplined, coordinated action,” Superintendent Rumbaugh added. “But we also have a plan, committed leadership, and a community that has already shown its resilience.”
A copy of the official notification letter from OSPI is linked HERE. More information on financial binding conditions and the state’s oversight role is available on OSPI’s website.
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Below is Superintendent Dr. Deborah Rumbaugh’s statement in full:
“The Marysville School District has been formally moved from enhanced financial oversight to binding conditions by the state. While this marks a significant shift in our fiscal status, it also reflects the reality we have acknowledged for some time: we have serious work ahead to ensure long-term financial stability for our students, staff, and community.
I want to recognize the steady leadership of our Board of Directors throughout this process. Their commitment to transparency, responsible decision-making, and the long-term health of our district has provided stability during an exceptionally challenging period. We are grateful for the work of Dr. Burgess and Dr. Jarvis, who began this work and laid the groundwork for positive outcomes.
I am also deeply grateful for the engagement and sacrifice demonstrated by our staff, families, and community partners. Their willingness to come together, ask hard questions, and support necessary – but often difficult – changes has been essential in getting us to this point. I extend my appreciation as well to the state officials and advisors who have supported our district and helped us navigate this process with clarity and diligence.
We must be candid: our financial picture over the next year remains fragile. Binding conditions underscore the seriousness of our situation and the need for disciplined, coordinated action. But we also have a plan, committed leadership, and a community that has already shown its resilience.
Although the work ahead will not be easy, I remain optimistic. Together, we will restore stability, rebuild trust, and strengthen the foundation of the Marysville School District for the future.”
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Contact:
Jeanie Lindsay
PR & Communications
360-965-0005