The good news: The Marysville School Board voted February 17 to postpone any decisions regarding school closures until June 2010.

The bad news: The district still has no plan in place to address its projected $3.3 million budget shortfall for the coming school year.

The board's regular bi-monthly meeting attracted dozens of concerned parents and citizens, some sporting Save Our Schools T-shirts, and all poised to make impassioned pleas for their neighborhood schools and learning programs. In a surprise move, Board president Michael Kundu made a motion to "cease all school closure decisions until June 2010," which passed by a 3-2 margin.

Director Don Hatch, who voted against the measure, was concerned that the delay in decision-making would adversely impact the planned February 2010 school bond.

"Will people vote to rehab schools if they're likely to be closed?" he asked, referring to building maintenance needs at Liberty and Cascade elementary schools.

In pushing for the delay, Kundu responded, "There's too much uncertainty in the economy right now. We won't see changes in the region's economy for a year or more, and we need to spend more time thinking about our strategy and researching the data."

Finance director Jim Baker provided some positive news regarding the operation of the M-PHS pool, which had also been under the gun. Earlier estimates had pegged the pool's operational costs, beyond the revenue its usage generated, at around $250,000 per year, but Baker said new efficiencies have lowered the district's cost to approximately $100,000 annually.

Although the vote to postpone school closure decisions was taken as the first matter of business at the Tuesday evening meeting, many parents and citizens stayed to hear the rest of the agenda and have the opportunity to make public comments.

Assistant Superintendent Gail Miller, who introduced a presentation by Career and Tech Ed director Susan Longstreth, commented on the pleasure of addressing a roomful of attendees. "Usually I'm talking to ten people," she said with a smile.

Seven audience members gave public testimony during the meeting, most congratulating the School Board on making the decision to postpone any school closure talks.

Michael Duffy, a Liberty parent, told the board, "Delaying this decision is the best thing you could have done. It allows more time for input from the public."

Miki Calbero spoke eloquently on behalf of the Liberty school community, and warned against "pressing the panic button." In a moving address, she urged the board to make decisions "without haste or panic."

Several parents whose children are enrolled in the Co-Op program also spoke on behalf of the select program. Co-Op students are currently housed at Quil Ceda Elementary and there had been discussions about disbanding the program or moving the students to another location.

Board members were reminded by parent and program coordinator Sandy Leerhoff that families of Co-op students are required to give 700 hours of volunteer time per child. The increased interaction with caring adults has resulted in WASL scores that are significantly higher than the district average, according to Leerhoff.

Although all five members of the School Board voiced their support for keeping the district's schools open, Cindy Erickson reminded the audience, "Wherever the cuts come from, it won't be easy. If we don't close schools, the deficit may have to be made up in the classrooms. That means materials, books and teacher support staff."