A new school year is always a special time. There’s a distinct pulse in the hallways, focus in the classrooms and a sense of possibility for what lies ahead. Our teachers and staff are ready to build on the progress we’ve made together as a district.

At every level, we are seeing our efforts have a real impact in the classroom — from stronger reading skills among our younger learners to growing participation in career and technical education pathways that connect students to real opportunities in our community. We are strengthening support systems that have led to improved attendance, fewer behavior concerns, and success in activities and athletics that showcase the talents of our students.

I really believe in the positive momentum across our schools. The new contract our teachers approved this week reflects a cooperative effort that keeps student learning as the highest priority.

In recent days, I’ve had many conversations with students and staff about the excitement and possibility of this school year. But I’ve also had some difficult conversations — the kind no one wants to have — about the real challenges facing our schools and what they could mean for our students.

Last year, Marshall Public Schools faced a $1.4 million deficit that forced cuts and the use of emergency reserves. This year, the shortfall has grown to $1.8 million, which will require deeper reductions in staffing, programs and transportation. Even with those measures, the district’s operating deficit is projected to double within four years, and our emergency reserves could be gone by 2029.

To protect student learning, the school board has determined that the best path forward is to ask district voters to consider an operating levy this fall. If approved, the levy will provide $2 million annually — about $765 per student – that will stabilize our finances and avoid painful cuts.

Earlier this week, I sat with the school board to confront what it would mean if the Nov. 4 referendum fails. The answer: More than two dozen teachers, aides, and specialists in addition to select programming and transportation routes would need to be cut over the next 18 months to balance the budget.

With fewer educators, class sizes would increase by as much as 20 percent. Students who need extra help would have less support. Career-prep options in middle and high school would shrink. And fewer staff would be left to keep schools running and support teachers in the classroom.

Further, several school programs could be lost, including junior high softball, speech, track and the gymnastics programs. We’ll also need to increase activity fees, and senior-citizen passes will no longer be free for attending school events.

While it may seem sudden, our financial challenges have been two decades in the making as state funding has not kept pace with the rising cost of education. Adjusted for inflation, the state is contributing about 19% less to schools today than it did in 2005. Marshall has not had a voter-approved operating levy since the last one expired in 2018, and while we saw these deficits coming, our 2022 request for a new levy was not approved.

Four out of five Minnesota school districts have a voter-approved operating levy to make up for gaps in state funding. If our referendum passes, a home valued at $225,000 (approximately the district median) would see an estimated tax increase of $26 per month.

We recognize this is a significant investment, so we want to do all we can to provide residents with the information they need before early voting begins on Sept. 19. I encourage everyone to check out our referendum website – tomorrowsti gers.org – where you can learn more about the challenges and our plan to address them. You will also find a tax calculator to determine your own tax impact simply by entering the value of your property as it appears on your latest tax statement.

To be clear, I’m not here to tell you how to vote. But it’s my responsibility to explain where we are, why we’re here, and what happens if nothing changes.

Without local support, living within our means requires laying off teachers, cutting programs and giving kids less. We will always balance the budget, but doing so would have a negative impact on the quality of education.

Thank you for your consideration. And as always, thank you for supporting Marshall Public Schools.

Jeremy Williams is superintendent of Marshall Public Schools.

— Jeremy Williams is superintendent of Marshall Public Schools