Education

A tuition-free early learning center funded by Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos opened in Everett Station last week. (Olivia Vanni / Herald file)

Free Bezos-backed preschool opens in Everett

Kids are admitted to the free preschool in Everett Station by lottery. The school pays no rent in exchange for improvements.

A tuition-free early learning center funded by Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos opened in Everett Station last week. (Olivia Vanni / Herald file)
Bradley Barton with graduates of his Climate Crisis Solutions class at Maplewood Parent Cooperative school on Feb. 22, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. From left, the students are Maedot Yoseph, Talea Mustefa, Jaxon Kennard, M.J. Pankow and Ava Woodsum. (Julie Titone)

Amid smoke-filled summers, motivated teachers drive climate education

The ClimeTime program provides more resources to teach about climate change. And it gets kids thinking about solutions.

Bradley Barton with graduates of his Climate Crisis Solutions class at Maplewood Parent Cooperative school on Feb. 22, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. From left, the students are Maedot Yoseph, Talea Mustefa, Jaxon Kennard, M.J. Pankow and Ava Woodsum. (Julie Titone)
Scott Peacock has taken over as superintendent for the Lakewood School District. Since 1993, Peacock worked for the Snohomish School District as an assistant principal, principal and deputy superintendent. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Peacock to step down as Lakewood schools superintendent in June

He said he needs time to recharge. A search for a successor is underway, with the school board hoping to make a hire in April.

Scott Peacock has taken over as superintendent for the Lakewood School District. Since 1993, Peacock worked for the Snohomish School District as an assistant principal, principal and deputy superintendent. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Ian Saltzman during the student portion of the new Everett Public Schools' superintendent interviews in May. (Olivia Vanni / Herald file)

Everett schools may slash 140 jobs to deal with $28M deficit

The school board on Tuesday adopted a blueprint for potential layoffs and deep program cuts to make ends meet.

Ian Saltzman during the student portion of the new Everett Public Schools' superintendent interviews in May. (Olivia Vanni / Herald file)
Marysville

Ex-educator sues Marysville School District for alleged discrimination

The complaint alleges hostility and retaliation when Cassandra Clark raised concerns about leadership at Grove Elementary.

Marysville
The Lake Stevens district swim team gets off their buss for swim practice at Explorer Middle School on Nov. 6, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A perfect storm soaking school district budgets with red ink

Fewer students, rising costs and disappearing federal aid have forced schools to consider where they can pare spending.

The Lake Stevens district swim team gets off their buss for swim practice at Explorer Middle School on Nov. 6, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Michael Simmons (Mukilteo School District)

Mukilteo School Board has vacancy with resignation of Michael Simmons

Simmons has served for 11 years. Deadline to apply for the District 1 seat is Feb. 28.

Michael Simmons (Mukilteo School District)
Community advocate and former state representative Emily Wicks waves signs at the corner of 4th and State along with Christie Ryba-Johnson and Matt Ruskowski, both employees at Marysville School District, in support of a school levy being voted on on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Sweet relief for Marysville School District in Valentine’s Day election

After four failed attempts in two years, a Marysville levy added to its margin Wednesday.

Community advocate and former state representative Emily Wicks waves signs at the corner of 4th and State along with Christie Ryba-Johnson and Matt Ruskowski, both employees at Marysville School District, in support of a school levy being voted on on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Dr. Rebecca Miner, Interim Superintendent of Edmonds School District, speaks during a public forum to receive feedback on the two candidates for the Superintendent position at Edmonds School District on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at Mountlake Terrace High School in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Rebecca Miner tapped for permanent job leading Edmonds schools

Miner has been doing the job for seven months. School board members say the interim superintendent is the “right fit.”

Dr. Rebecca Miner, Interim Superintendent of Edmonds School District, speaks during a public forum to receive feedback on the two candidates for the Superintendent position at Edmonds School District on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at Mountlake Terrace High School in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Maricel Samaniego, center, teaches English to Liedith Espana, left, and Nemecio Rios, right, at Liberty Elementary School in Marysville, Washington, on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Marysville schools partner with Everett Community College to offer free English classes to parents of multilingual students. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Free English class helps Marysville parents lower language barrier

The school district partners with EvCC to teach practical classes on pronunciation, paperwork and parent-teacher conferences.

Maricel Samaniego, center, teaches English to Liedith Espana, left, and Nemecio Rios, right, at Liberty Elementary School in Marysville, Washington, on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Marysville schools partner with Everett Community College to offer free English classes to parents of multilingual students. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Switzerland delegate Markus Herrmann listens while 12th grade students speak with him during a special event set up for their AP Comparative Government class at Glacier Peak High School on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

European delegates talk American culture with Glacier Peak students

Representatives from 18 different EU countries made a stop in Snohomish during their US tour.

Switzerland delegate Markus Herrmann listens while 12th grade students speak with him during a special event set up for their AP Comparative Government class at Glacier Peak High School on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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Public school enrollment still down, even as rural districts grow

Smaller districts in Snohomish County seem to be recovering more quickly — and gaining students — than their urban counterparts.

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Students make their way after school at Edmonds-Woodway High School on March 12, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

After Edmonds schools internet outage, staff ‘teaching like it’s the 1900s’

“Suspicious activities” on the district’s network delayed classes and caused schedule havoc. “Kids are using pencil and paper again.”

Students make their way after school at Edmonds-Woodway High School on March 12, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Monroe school board member chats on Facebook during closed-door meeting

Molly Barnes allegedly solicited opinions from a group of conservative parents and employees on Facebook. It’s unclear if she broke the law.

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New Monroe superintendent Shawn Woodward during his panel interview on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Incoming superintendent says he’s ‘done homework on Monroe’

Shawn Woodward has faced issues of racism, equity and inclusion as the leader of the Mead School District near Spokane.

New Monroe superintendent Shawn Woodward during his panel interview on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Juniper DeCasso, 17, prepares groceries for pickup at the Edmonds Food Bank in Edmonds, Washington on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Scriber Lake High School student Juniper works at the Edmonds Food bank as part of an on-the-job training class that teaches students about career options and goal planning, while also paying them for a part-time internship. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

School program gives Scriber Lake teens class credits — and paychecks

The on-the-job training program offers paid internships and career planning assignments with a real-world feel.

Juniper DeCasso, 17, prepares groceries for pickup at the Edmonds Food Bank in Edmonds, Washington on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Scriber Lake High School student Juniper works at the Edmonds Food bank as part of an on-the-job training class that teaches students about career options and goal planning, while also paying them for a part-time internship. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Marysville

Mother with federal policy resume gets seat on Marysville School Board

The school board unanimously appointed Kristen Michal to fill the vacancy left by Katie Jackson’s resignation.

Marysville
Volunteer Victor Rodriguez chats with supporters as he hands out yard signs during a campaign event in support of Marysville School District’s proposed levy on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at the Marysville Historical Society Museum in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Marysville to run ‘most critical levy’ in its history, schools chief says

Coming off of a double levy failure last year, the district could face “impossible choices” and lose about a sixth of its budget.

Volunteer Victor Rodriguez chats with supporters as he hands out yard signs during a campaign event in support of Marysville School District’s proposed levy on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at the Marysville Historical Society Museum in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Debbie Bayes

Intercultural competence trainer joins Stanwood-Camano School Board

The board unanimously appointed Debbie Bayes to replace Ken Christoferson, who resigned in December.

Debbie Bayes
Stanwood’s Carson Beckt signals for a first down after holding onto a pass through hard contact against Lakes High School on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at Stanwood High School in Stanwood, Washington. Targeting was called on the play, resulting in extra yards for Stanwood. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Stanwood football game a ‘catalyst’ for deeper anti-racism work

The district has committed to “retraining and reteaching” its students and staff about appropriate behavior.

Stanwood’s Carson Beckt signals for a first down after holding onto a pass through hard contact against Lakes High School on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at Stanwood High School in Stanwood, Washington. Targeting was called on the play, resulting in extra yards for Stanwood. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)