Marlys Baker resigns from school board

Marlys Baker had quickly found a home on the La Conner School Board after having unseated longtime incumbent Janie Beasley in their race for the Swinomish director district seat last November.

In just four months Baker had earned high praise from La Conner Schools Superintendent Dr. Whitney Meissner and board colleagues for her immediate impact.

But when she and her family moved to Mount Vernon this month, taking residence in their new home forced Baker to turn out the lights on what was a promising start serving on the local school panel.

Her resignation was reluctantly accepted during the board’s not-so-regular monthly session Monday night.

With the ongoing coronavirus crisis having forced six-week school closures around the state, coupled with restrictions against public gatherings, the board meeting was made public via Zoom, software-based conference room service.

Even so, the Baker resignation carried the same weight as if it had been announced to a filled room.

“Marlys provided a fresh perspective and insight on our board over the last few months,” board chair Susie Gardner Deyo told the Weekly News beforehand, “with special interest on academic performance and student engagement.”

Meissner echoed those sentiments.

“She has been awesome,” said Meissner of Baker. “She brought a fresh perspective. As a mother of five, she was able to consider educational policy through the eyes of her boys.”

Baker’s background in health care, including her role advocating disease prevention, health promotion and wellness education on Swinomish Reservation, was also an asset to the board, said Meissner.

“As a nurse,” Meissner said, “she was very actively engaged in our conversations and decisions connected to COVID-19.”

Baker had recently teamed with new Swinomish Tribal Community Senator Alana Quintasket on a community health information video advising the public on how to protect itself against the COVID-19 outbreak.

“As a Swinomish woman,” added Meissner, “ she brought advocacy and voice to tribal positions. She has been friendly, positive, strong, and kind throughout her time on the board, and we are all sad she won’t be able to continue serving.”

Baker logged in near the end of the briskly-paced hour-long meeting.

“I really enjoyed working with all of you,” she said, calling the board “a good team.”

“Thank you for having me,” Baker said, “even if it was so brief.”

The posting for applicants to fill the new board vacancy will remain open longer than usual due to the school shut down. Deyo said Monday night the board anticipates an initial review of applicants in mid-April.

Prior to Baker’s election last fall, the Swinomish board seat had been held 15 years by Beasley, the tribal community’s executive assistant and a La Conner High alum, who has filled numerous Skagit County leadership posts.

In other board developments:

• Members held a detailed discussion on strategies La Conner Schools staff are employing to facilitate learning while students are off campus.

  Meissner said teachers have been preparing a wide-range of activities covering core subjects and enrichment opportunities.

  She said staff has also supported food services, communicated with families, and undergone professional learning on an array of topics.

  “It’s been great to hear what everybody’s been doing,” said district finance director Bonnie Haley.

  Everybody’s been working.”

• Meissner said it was also important that staff properly pace themselves during the school closure.

  “Our staff has been exhausted,” she said.

  “We want them to get some rest, to hit ‘pause’, and slow down and not have everybody rush our plan.”

• Meissner and the board highlighted the school district’s recent successful bond refunding that will save taxpayers in excess of $1.6 million over a 13-year period.
• The La Conner High girls’ basketball team, coaches, band, and cheerleaders were congratulated for how well they represented the school at the State 2B Hardwood Classic in Spokane earlier this month.

  The team placed second, its best-ever finish at State.

• The board approved two resolutions.

  One suspends district policies when necessary to implement state measures designed to contain COVID-19.

  The other commits the district to development of an Asset Preservation Program with a specific process for ensuring school facilities sustain their expected life cycle.