The fates of three aging Marysville schools, and the students and teachers who learn and work in them, will be determined by a bond election in February 2010.

Citizens for Marysville Schools, a grassroots committee made up of parents, school supporters, community leaders and local residents, will kick off its campaign in support of the levy and bond measure at a meeting Tuesday, December 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Marysville United Methodist Church, 5600-64th St. NE in Marysville.

The Marysville School Board approved a $78 million bond request for the February ballot, which will build new schools for Cascade and Liberty Elementary and Marysville Middle School. Replacing the district's three oldest, most obsolete facilities was a priority for the Citizen's Planning Committee, which spent 18 months reviewing critical district needs before recommending an $88 million bond issue. After further study, the school board reduced the spending request to $78 million, which will meet the district's critical needs while lowering the tax burden for Marysville households.

In addition to construction funds for the three schools, the bond will also provide for basic repairs to the M-PHS pool while addressing other health and safety needs district-wide. It provides technology to prepare students for productive learning and sets aside money for advanced planning, which will save on future bond issues.

The $20 million levy that accompanies the bond issue will provide educational support for day-to-day learning. The operations levy provides 20 percent of the district's budget.

Passage of the $98 million bond and levy measure will result in lower taxes for the next five years, with estimates of $4.85 per $1,000 assessed value.