After Marysville levy fails, superintendent announces retirement, pay-to-play fee increased

MARYSVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A surprise retirement, an increased financial burden to families and administrative tension characterize the aftermath of Marysville schools' first Board of Education meeting since its emergency levy failed.

The Board of Education met Thursday night, during which Superintendent Diane Allen announced her retirement. Allen has worked within the district for 26 years and will leave her post in May.

The Board approved new pay-to-play fees, an increase that was expected after the levy's failure. The district's contingency plan initially listed increased extracurricular fees as $770, but the meeting's agenda had a motion to adjust the fee to $730 due to a calculation error. After much discourse, the board approved a measure 3-2 to increase fees to $845 for athletics and $235 for band and show choir.

On Friday morning, Allen announced in an email to parents she would be abiding by the original $770 laid out in the levy contingency plan.

"Due to the short notice and unexpected increased financial burden this places on families, I have requested the board to reconsider any unexpected increase to families for a variety of reasons," Allen said.

The measure was introduced by Board member Jermaine Ferguson, who said the cost for athletic and art extracurriculars are different. The costs were calculated by totaling all extracurricular expenses, such as adviser supplemental contracts, transportation and materials, and dividing it by the number of participants. However, Ferguson argued there was a $500 difference per student between arts and athletics.

Not all board members agreed. While Ferguson claimed it was fair for band and show choir students to not have to pay to support the more expensive athletics, board member Dick Smith said it was fair to have a flat rate for all students. Smith argued track might be less expensive than other sports, but getting too detailed would complicate matters. He said he thought it was most fair for students to pay the same, regardless of extracurricular activity.

Despite the measure to adjust fees to $845 for athletics and $235 for arts passing, Allen said she would maintain the initial contingency fee. She did not address the initial measure on the agenda that would have decreased the fee to $730. The increase will go into effect for the 2024 extracurricular season.

This is just one of several budget adjustments the district is facing after the levy's failure. During Thursday's meeting, Allen said it had been a difficult few weeks of planning, pointing out that 98% of Ohio's public school districts -- all but 13 -- operate with more funding per student.

The district's funding problems have been ongoing, and Allen said she will speak with teachers who may face layoffs the first week of December. Allen said staffing decisions are being made in tandem with the teacher's union, weighing seniority and performance evaluations.

The board is scheduled to meet next Dec. 3 during a special meeting starting at 4:30 p.m. at the central office.