In less than one week, students will return to classrooms to begin a new academic year at Marshall Public Schools. We’re thrilled to welcome students back for what promises to be a year filled with growth and a further return to “normal” after the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the summer, district leadership went to work to explore new ways for our schools to better serve our students. With input from students, staff and community members, we developed an updated strategic plan that reaffirms our commitment to being a safe and equitable learning environment that emphasizes student success at school and after graduation.

 While the new school year offers plenty of new opportunities, it will not be without its challenges. Namely, our district is facing a combination of financial hurdles that threaten our ability to maintain the services and staff that students depend on. I would like to take a moment to explain the financial challenges our schools are facing and the plan to address them.

Back in June of 2018, the district allowed the school operating levy to expire to prioritize the successful bond referendum that financed the construction of Southview Elementary School as well as critical safety and security improvements to our buildings. In the years since, we were able to maintain a balanced budget by carefully managing operational costs and using federal COVID-relief dollars to fill in the gaps. By responsibly using this one-time aid, we have successfully maintained a stable level of staffing and student services.

Now, the financial picture is changing. COVID relief aid will run out after this school year as state funding for public education continues to lag woefully behind the rate of inflation. Given this combination of factors, Marshall Public Schools will face a budget deficit of nearly $2 million for the 2023-2024 school year.

To address this projected deficit, the school board has put forward a plan on the Nov. 8 ballot to reinstate an operating levy of $675 per pupil unit. The 10-year levy would match the per pupil unit amount of the levy that expired in 2018. 

If approved, the new levy would generate approximately $1.8 million annually for the district’s operations budget, which includes essential classroom expenses such as staffing, books, technology and student programs like athletics and career and technical education (CTE). This would allow us to protect important educational programs, staff levels and student services.

If the levy is rejected, the school district would need to make difficult decisions to avoid deficit spending. Budget cuts would likely lead to reduced staffing levels, larger class sizes and reduced services and extracurricular activities for students. 

Of course, this is a major decision for our community, so we are committed to making sure that all residents have the information they need to make an informed vote ahead of Election Day. Keep an eye out in the coming days and weeks for updates about the proposed levy, the projected tax impact and instructions for how to vote.

In the meantime, I encourage you to reach out to me at jeremy.williams@marshall.k12.mn.us with any questions. I look forward to hearing your ideas and answering your questions as we approach Election Day.

Go Tigers!

— Jeremy Williams is superintendent of the Marshall Public Schools District