MARYSVILLE, Washington – Marysville families weigh in and ask questions about plans to close the district’s schools amid a $3 million budget shortfall.

The last of the three public meetings was held Monday night at Marysville Middle School.

“They’re dealing with staff cuts, on top of staff and service cuts and potentially sports, and everything is within limits, potentially,” Marysville’s David Vinvek told KOMO News.

With sticky notes on the wall, it didn’t look like a typical school board meeting, and parents said that’s what they like about this more interactive and inclusive format.

RELATED: At least two school districts in Western Washington are facing closures amid budget crises

“If we could see it, you would plot it on a map, where the student population densities are in relation to the schools. It might make more sense to redraw the district boundaries and figure out which schools might be the best. to look at closures,” Vinvek added.

“It’s going to take all of us to figure this out,” said Laurell Lundgren Parratt, who has a granddaughter in the district. Interim Superintendent Dr. Dave Burgess said these exercises at previous meetings have been productive.

“We had a situation where one recommendation was to actually consolidate the high schools and make one a campus of eight or nine, and then one would be a 10, 11 and 12, something we didn’t even think about” , he said.

The district has been monitoring the school’s enrollment and capacity, as well as building condition, size and location, but no decision has been made on closing. The Marysville Education Association hopes new district leadership can help bring more students back to Marysville despite anticipated cuts.

“What we’ve been through the last two years, people don’t want to stay in this community, stay in this school district,” explained MEA President Becky Roberts. “We’ve been losing pretty consistently, you know, probably 2 to 400 kids a year for the last few years.”

SEE ALSO:Marysville schools face potential closures amid $3.2 million budget crisis

Dr. Burgess, in his new role for nearly a month, said he sees the district’s budget crisis as a two-tiered problem.

“What is your message to families as you work to navigate the budget situation?” asked KOMO News’ Jackie Kent.

“It’s very difficult because so many contracts have already been signed, employees are being hired, and there’s no wiggle room for a superintendent right now,” he said. “Next year, we need to engage in systemic thinking so that the changes we make can help this district become financially viable in the long term.”

Dr. Burgess estimates the district could save up to $2 million a year by closing some campuses. Other cost-cutting measures, including district-level administrative staffing, are also expected.

More meetings are coming up for schools and district staff, plus Spanish-speaking families, who make up about 30 percent of the district’s population. No time frame has been given for a decision on the closures.