Marysville schools chief granted contract extension; critics howl

By J.J. Jensen
Times Snohomish County bureau

	Linda Whitehead
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MARYSVILLE — The Marysville School Board approved a one-year contract extension for embattled Superintendent Linda Whitehead against the wishes of many who packed the School Board meeting last night.

The decision was among the final board actions for Cary Peterson, Mark Johnson and Erik Olson, who were defeated at the polls Nov. 4 and will give up their seats to new board members in December.

The contract extension for Whitehead, who many teachers and parents blame for the recent 49-day teachers strike, will keep her at the helm of the 11,000-student district through June 2006. She makes $130,876 annually.

The announcement was followed by an uproar from the standing-room-only audience that Board President Helen Mount's gavel could do little to quell. Ultimately, over shouts of "unbelievable" and chants of "recall," more than a dozen parents and community members were escorted outside by district security guards. Also during the commotion, Peterson was overheard saying, "I'm done" and then left.

"It is my personal commitment to see that (Whitehead's) job is not safe," said parent Sherley Chester, drawing a standing ovation moments before being escorted out.

"This is shameful. ... We will prevail, and Dr. Whitehead will be (gone)," she said. "This is appalling."

Some critics saw Whitehead's contract extension as a parting shot by outgoing School Board members against newcomers Carol Jason, Michael Kundu and Vicki Gates. In recent months, the three were critical of the current board and Whitehead's leadership. They campaigned with promises of change at district headquarters and an evaluation of Whitehead's effectiveness.

The incoming trio had the support of the district's 650-member teachers union, which placed blame for the recent teachers strike on the School Board and Whitehead, calling for their resignations.

Johnson said the extension had nothing to do with revenge.

"Dr. Whitehead's been an excellent superintendent and performed ably," he said. "She's carried out the wishes of the School Board with excellence. She's had a vision of what a high-quality school district can be like."

In recent weeks, board members hinted at extending Whitehead's contract. Many parents came to last night's meeting to advise against that.

However, before the meeting, the agenda, unbeknownst to some — including teachers union President Elaine Hanson — was revised to include Whitehead's extension. The extension was approved moments before parents could address Whitehead's contract.

District spokeswoman Judy Parker said the board gave Whitehead a positive review in March and planned to extend her contract at a later time. Because the board had been dealing with the strike recently, it had not had time to do so. Parker said the extension did not require a public hearing.

Whitehead, who was unavailable for comment last night, has received mixed reviews from teachers on her leadership.

Marysville teachers voted no confidence in her in 2002. But her supporters credit her with stabilizing district finances, improving test scores and obtaining large grants for schools.

Incoming board member Jason said the current board didn't listen to the community's feelings. She plans to talk with the district's legal department about removing Whitehead or finding her alternative roles in the district.

"It was a devious decision," she said of the board's action. "It was really underhanded, and they thumbed their noses at the community."

Incoming board members also have other challenges. Student flight during the strike caused a $2 million budget shortfall, teachers still don't have a contract, and the district hasn't passed a bond measure in 13 years.

J.J. Jensen: 425-745-7809 or jjensen@seattletimes.com

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