As school bells began ringing in north Snohomish County and kids strapped on their overloaded backpacks, district administrators were keeping their fingers crossed that they'd be able to hold their own in this difficult budget cycle.

Lakewood schools started September 1, Marysville kids returned to their desks September 8 and Arlington schools opened September 9.

With funding cut to the bone, Marysville schools will have fewer teachers and support staff in classrooms. The supply budget also fell victim to the numbers, which meant that even some textbook purchases had to be reconsidered.

The district posted some significant gains in test scores last year, with double digit increases in reading and math at Tulalip and Quil Ceda elementaries and Totem Middle School. At a Town Meeting held September 1, Marysville superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland attributed part of the gains to improved student environments and more consistent discipline practices.

Schools across the state will be implementing a new testing structure to replace the WASL. Students in grades 3 through 8 will take Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) while the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) will be administered to 10th graders. A passing score on the HSPE will be required for graduation.

The Marysville district is also changing its math curriculum, switching from Core Math to Holt Math. The difference, Nyland explained, is a switch from an integrated applied math style to separate applications for algebra, geometry, calculus and other math courses. Classrooms from kindergarten to eighth grade received the new math instructional materials last year, and students in the high school SLCs that won't be transferring to Getchell will get new books this year.

Since the new high school is eligible for a textbook allowance for its opening, the math texts will be purchased for those students for the 2010 school year.

Nyland also reported that, thanks to frugal management of 2006 bond monies, the district completed (or will complete) all the bond projects on time and under budget, leaving enough funds available to make improvements to the Quil Ceda Stadium's field and track at M-PHS.

Small improvement projects are also underway, in partnership with the City of Marysville, at Marysville Middle School, Liberty Elementary and the high school. Sidewalks and new traffic signals will improve student safety at the schools, which are located on busy streets.

School boards for all the local districts have made difficult but necessary decisions regarding staffing and program levels for the coming year. The focus, voiced in many board meetings over the past few months, has been to minimize the impact on students and the delivery of learning. As kids begin buckling in for the school year, that focus will become ever more critical.