By Pete Lundberg

Students and families that are successful in the 21st century will be those that learn how to adapt and thrive in change.

Education going forward should be a totally new experience from what most of us remember in our own schooling.

College alone is no guarantee of future success and can no longer be viewed as the only way to a happy, successful life or a way out of poverty.

The Marysville School Board and District are developing plans that address the new and accelerating societal needs.

We want students who can solve problems, cooperate with others and value differing viewpoints.

We want students to understand the basics and responsibilities of a democracy and realize that a collection of different talents is necessary to build a successful future.

We want a community of students that embrace the diversity of opinion, race, creed, color, culture, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and religious preference.

We want students to understand their own particular aptitudes and strengths.

We want students and families to work together with the schools to plan a personalized education based on these defined attributes.

We want a school system that supports all learners.

New superintendent Jason Thompson is working with stakeholders to fulfill the above-mentioned vision.

A collaborative leader, Thompson needs and wants a collective voice from the Marysville Education Association, city leaders, parents, students, and Marysville and Tulalip community members to forward this work.

The end result should be a school district that offers targeted education to targeted student needs.

Marysville needs to value and provide the pathway for acquiring skills and abilities whether you want to be an aerospace engineer, artist, plumber, architect, teacher, software programmer, construction worker, gamer or any other trade a student may choose.

Education truly is the future, but in ways never before undertaken or understood. Education is about all learning and must support the diversity of skills and abilities today’s diverse population requires.

The Marysville School District will soon be asking for people to come forward and help them design this future. Help us develop the Marysville we all want for our students and our community.

Pete Lundberg is vice president of the school board for the Marysville School District, which runs a monthly column in these newspapers.