With president Sherri Crenshaw's resignation from the Marysville school board, which followed Michael Kundu's letter of resignation, the board is charged with filling two open seats until the next regular election, set for the fall of 2011. Vice president Cindy Erickson was confirmed as temporary president of the board, with plans to address officer positions once the vacant seats are filled.

The school board's responsibility to fill such vacancies within 90 days of resignation sets the deadline at Sept 12. However, in a memo to Superintendent Larry Nyland, Dr. Jerry Jenkins from the Northwest Educational Service District (NWESD) acknowledged "the challenges of connecting with patrons during the summer months when many families take vacations."

The NWESD outlined a plan that will have the new school board members in place by Oct 18. According to the NWESD's proposal, advertising for school board positions and application procedures are scheduled to begin this month in the Everett Herald and school district publications. Chosen candidates will fill the vacancies until the next school board election.

Crenshaw has accepted a position at Tulalip Elementary as a science specialist.

Other vacancies are being filled in Marysville schools. Andrew Frost, former principal of R.A. Long High School in Longview, WA, has been selected as the new Pathways of Choice (POC) principal at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

In a letter to POC families announcing Frost as principal, Ray Houser, executive director of teaching and learning, wrote, "Andrew developed a leadership style that focuses on collaboration, research and data-driven decisions. Andrew possesses a strong commitment to academic rigor, high ethical standards and a strong work ethic."

Some do not agree with how the hiring of the POC principal was conducted. Three teachers expressed their frustration at the school board meeting Aug. 2.

"I am shocked at the outcome of the meeting and how the candidates were ranked," said Tommy Price, POC special education teacher.

Doug Pellerin, a POC special education teacher, said 100 percent of the teachers had signed a letter of support for current assistant principal Rob Lowry, who has worked in the Marysville School District for over 30 years. The POC staff felt ignored when the administration chose a different candidate for principal.

"The staff wants the board to look at the process," Pellerin said. "We feel that it was a slap in the face to Mr. Lowry and the staff of MP. The staff feels completely ignored and invalidated in this selection."

Angela Hansen, formerly the Stanwood High School assistant principal, will be the International School of Communications (ISC) principal at Marysville Getchell High School. Gail Miller, assistant superintendent, described Hansen as an "academic leader that continually seeks out ways to improve student learning."

Letters announcing the new POC and ISC principals can be viewed on the district's website at www.msvl.k12.wa.us. They will also be mailed to students' families this week.