At our board meeting this week, the board approved a resolution to run an operating referendum this fall. We’ve been addressing the financial challenges that not only Marshall, but all schools are currently facing.

In 2022, when we approached the community with a similar request, we had a $1.8 million need. At that time, we were still navigating the pandemic and received COVID funds that bridged the gap for a few years. Those funds have now expired, and with rising costs and no additional funding from state or federal sources, we are once again facing that budget deficit.

As we shared at a recent board meeting, the district is projecting an ongoing deficit next year, which will only increase in subsequent years without either an increase in funding or reductions in expenditures. Most districts in Minnesota rely on operating referendums like the one we’re proposing. Marshall is one of the few in the state that does not have an operating referendum in place.

This $2 million operating referendum will help us maintain the programs and staffing levels we currently have, allowing us to continue the great work we’re doing. We aim to keep small elementary class sizes, offer high-quality individualized instruction and intervention, and maintain the career and technical opportunities available to our students.

These initiatives are crucial to our mission “to prepare all learners for success.” We are proud of how well-prepared our students are for the workforce when they leave Marshall Public Schools, and we need continued funding to sustain these efforts.

More information will be provided in the coming months. Soon, we’ll launch our referendum website tomorrowstigers.org that will have answers to many of your questions about the referendum.

A successful referendum this fall will ensure the continuation of the programs our community values. A failed referendum will result in larger class sizes, a reduction in student support positions, and fewer Career and Pathways class opportunities for our students.

Reading skills

This month, I want to highlight a few great things happening at Marshall Public Schools from the last month of school this year.

We are thrilled to share the incredible growth in foundational reading skills this year. Our kindergarten students made remarkable progress, reducing the number of students below benchmark from 118 to just 28 by the end of the year.

Impressively, 46% of our kindergarteners were well above the benchmark. In first grade, the number of students below benchmark decreased from 115 to 40, with 75% meeting or exceeding the benchmark by year-end. Among students who received reading intervention, 91% improved by one or more benchmarks, and not a single student regressed. This success is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication.

Other highlights

Each year at Southview, we honor a fourth-grade student who has consistently demonstrated kindness. This year’s recipient is Elizabetta Rutledge, a quiet leader who has shown kindness to both peers and teachers. Congratulations, Elizabetta.

Our second graders enjoyed trips to Lake Shetek and the End-O-Line Museum in Currie, while our third graders visited the Watertown Zoo. Although our fourth graders’ trip to the Marshall Aquatic Center was canceled due to weather, they ended the year with a fun-filled carnival featuring games throughout our building.

The Southview PBIS team did an outstanding job organizing an end-of-year celebration in the back bus parking lot. The event included various student-teacher games and prize drawings. Thanks to donations from Sundance Auto Repair, Shine Center, and Thrivent Financial, we were able to give away six bikes to students.

One of our most notable accomplishments at Marshall Middle School this year was the reduction in chronic absenteeism. We concluded the year with 95 students classified as chronically absent, a significant improvement from the 2023-24 school year when 150 students fell into this category. Additionally, we observed a decrease in Level 3 and Level 4 behavioral incidents, reflecting the positive impact of our efforts to support student behavior and well-being.

In activities, Marshall Public Schools is excited to welcome Ashley Dunn as the new head coach of the girls swim team following Brian Stucke’s resignation. We thank Brian for his dedication and leadership over the past two years.

Congratulations to Deacon Wing and Dayton Webskowski for qualifying for the State Golf Tournament in Jordan. Both athletes performed admirably. Congratulations also to the BPA Computer Animation Team–Matt Bauer, Brennen Thooft, Karsten Springborg, and Joe Nwafor–for reaching the finals and medaling at the National BPA Conference.

Marshall High School sent 23 student athletes to compete at the State Track and Field Meet hosted at STMA where several of our students broke school records. In the Girls 4Ö800 Katelyn Leibfried, Kaitlyn Soupir, Peyton Boeck, and Taleigha Bigler left as state champs. In the Boys 4Ö800 Sam Deutz, Ethan Bly, Mykel Paulsen, and Josh Leibfried took runners up.

As we wrap up another successful school year, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the families for their unwavering support and dedication. Your involvement is instrumental in our achievements. We wish you all a joyful, relaxing, and safe summer break. Enjoy the sunshine, make wonderful memories, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another fantastic year this fall.

— Jeremy Williams is superintendent of schools at Marshall Public Schools