The Marysville School District Board of Directors is suddenly facing the loss of another member. Following the resignation of director Michael Kundu earlier this month, board president Sherri Crenshaw submitted her letter of resignation to the board and the district superintendent on July 19.

In a letter to the community, Crenshaw explained that it's necessary for her to seek full-time employment and her hope is to return to the teaching profession, preferably in Marysville.

"Teaching children is my passion and I look forward to the opportunity of embracing the district goals and working with others to achieve those goals," Crenshaw wrote, "especially the work in closing the achievement gap."

She has stated a preference to teach at Tulalip Elementary or Totem Middle School in Marysville.

Crenshaw has said her decision was not related to the controversy that has lately surrounded Michael Kundu and the school board. Kundu was pressured to resign from the board following his assertion in an e-mail that academic achievement was "definitively linked" to racial genetics.

"While the timing of my resignation may not be optimal with the recent resignation of Michael Kundu," wrote Crenshaw, "I am confident in the work of our board and district administration to carry on and strive to make the best possible decisions for each and every child."

Now down two members, the remaining three directors will be required to attend every meeting in order to maintain a quorum. Vice president Cindy Erickson will take over the duties of president temporarily.

Crenshaw represented District 5 and Kundu was the District 4 representative (see map).

The school board will likely discuss the two open positions and formulate a plan to fill them until the next election cycle at the August 2 meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. at the district service center, 4220-80th Street NE in Marysville.