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Marysville High student urges board to save wellness center amid budget concerns
Summary
A Marysville High junior asked the board to restore funding to the school's wellness center, saying it provides essential mental‑health support and criticizing district spending priorities; trustees heard the plea during public comment.
Leah Johnson, a junior at Marysville High School, told the board on March 25 that the school's wellness center is a "lifeline" for students and urged trustees not to cut its funding.
"The Wellness Center isn't just a room. It's a place where students can go…No judgment. No questions. Just help," Johnson said, adding that staff and volunteers sometimes use their own money to fill gaps when funds run short. She cited national mental‑health statistics, saying suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 34, and said cutting services would send the wrong message about the district’s priorities.
Johnson described staff members who provide day-to-day support, named a staff person (Elva) and an emotional support dog (Rocky), and urged the board to "fight for the students who need safe space." The comments were part of the public‑comment period; trustees did not take immediate action at the meeting but heard the appeal as they considered budgets and staffing priorities.
The student’s request adds to ongoing public discussions about mental‑health and student supports; district staff and trustees will address budget and program decisions in future agenda items and meetings.
