Marysville Globe, February 08, 2014 by Sound Publishing

THE PUBLIC FORUM

The Arlington Times • The Marysville Globe

February 8, 2014

A look back at our accomplishments in 2013 I recently had the opportunity to present the 2014 State of the City address to business and community leaders, sharing an optimistic message that this year citizens can expect to see significant investments back into our community after guiding our financial resources responsibly through a challenging economic period. Citizens with cable TV service can currently watch a video presentation of the address on Marysville Community Cable Channel 21 (Comcast) or Channel 25 (Frontier) daily at noon, 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. You can also view it on the city website starting Feb. 10. In last month’s column, I wrote about investments on tap this year that will raise our quality of life and build toward the future, through more innovative means and a continued disciplined operating philosophy. Investing back into our community is about putting our resources where they can do the most good; in other words, public safety, streets and roads, parks, neighborhoods, downtown, and job creation and retention. In this column, I want to take a look back at 2013, to review some of the successes accomplished by the city of Marysville, thanks to a solid working relationship between the City Council, department directors and dedicated staff, and our indispensable partnerships with citizens, business owners, neighboring governments and regional organizations. The city of Marysville made significant headway in re-

Guest OpiniOn JON NEhrING MArySvILLE MAyOr

building funding for some core government services put on hold while we waited for the economy to improve. We have accomplished much. All roads begin — and end — with the city budget. At the end of 2013, the City Council adopted a $139 million budget for 2014 that includes a $42.1 million General Fund budget for funding basic public services. It’s worth sharing with taxpayers that our departments under-spent their budgets by a $1.5 million. Public Safety Public safety is a very high priority in Marysville. The men and women of the Marysville Police Department provide “service with honor,” and they remain committed to providing outstanding service in partnership with the community to enhance our city’s safety, growth and livability. Among highlights: n Police carried out a series of commander, lieutenant and sergeant promotions in 2013 which, combined with new hires, reinforces the value we place on public safety. n Police and other city departments took several steps to more vigorously address quality of life issues in Marysville that included see neHRinG, pAGe 5 The Marysville

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Dream big for kids

everal years ago a phrase was coined that it takes a village to raise a child. That short group of words is more important today than ever before. I have, and continue to believe that every child deserves the best education that we can offer. However, many of our children come to school tired and hungry or sick and in need of basic health care. Many students within our own community are homeless or do not have a safe environment in which to live. How can we expect these children to be successful in the classroom when academic performance is the last thought on their minds? Schools and community partners must work together to improve the quality of life for these children before they truly can succeed. It is

Guest OpiniOn ChrIS NATION about each of us taking an active role in changing the culture of Marysville. We can and we must seek out and develop programs to assist our neediest of children if we are to become a community of one. Our public schools provide an incredible amount of social and academic services for our children, but we cannot do this alone. Public schools are the cultural center of every community and research continues to prove that students achieve

at greater success when the community is engaged in the conversations around improving performance. In January of 2013, your Board of Directors developed a long-range plan to listen and engage our community in the future development for Marysville Schools. We began with over 30 community meetings seeking input and feedback on the characteristics needed in a new superintendent. Using what we learned from community leaders, parents, staff and most importantly, students, the board embarked upon a journey to find a person that met the needs and wishes of the Marysville/Tulalip communities. We invited over 40 individuals to interview and evaluate our final candisee nAtiOn, pAGe 5

Special education in Arlington School Dsitrict

he Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the law that ensures schools provide services to children with disabilities. In Washington State, IDEA and state special education law governs how local districts and other public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to students from birth through to age 21. Special Education is defined as: “specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.” Students become eligible for special education following an educational assessment that documents a disability and a need for special education services. Special education is in place to provide additional services, support, programs, specialized placements or environments to ensure that all students’ educational needs are provided

Guest OpiniOn CONNIE rEISS for. These services are described in an Individualized Education Program (IEP). IEPs describe the educational program that is individually planned for each child and monitored through teaching, adapted equipment and materials, accessible settings, and other interventions designed to help learners with special needs achieve a higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in school and the community. Arlington School District’s special education services range from children birth to age three, preschool services for three to

five year olds, and programs for students in kindergarten through age 21. Special education services are different for every student and include supports such as academics, speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, vision, adaptive and social skills. Services for students qualifying for birth to three are provided outside of Arlington Public Schools through birth to three education centers. Parents who are interested in having their child evaluated for services may contact the Special Education Department at 360-6186215. The district provides on-site services beginning at age three with the preschool program at Presidents Elementary. The developmental preschool serves children who are demonstrating delays in one or more areas of developsee Reiss, pAGe 5