As we begin the second half of the school year, I want to share an update on the many things happening across Marshall Public Schools. January has been a month filled with student achievement, staff dedication, and continued progress toward our district’s goals — even as we work through difficult financial decisions.

Districtwide update: Budget reductions

Over the past year, we have been transparent that budget reductions would be necessary without a successful referendum vote. These decisions are not taken lightly and have been made with much consideration. Every position and program has been reviewed carefully to ensure we remain fiscally responsible while still meeting the needs of our students. Although the choices are difficult, our longterm focus remains on stability, sustainability, and keeping student learning at the center as we continue to focus on our mission “to prepare all students for success.”

School highlights

Park Side & Early Childhood: Families participated in winter conferences on January 22 and 27. February will bring a full schedule of “I Love to Read” events, the 100th Day of School, the Father/Daughter Dance, and Valentine’s Day activities.

Southview Elementary: Southview held its first-ever 3rd Grade Multiplication Bracket Challenge, giving students a fun way to demonstrate math mastery. Fourth graders completed their annual Book Battles, and mid-year reading assessments show strong growth across grade levels. Staff are preparing for an upcoming BARR training, which focuses on strengthening collaboration and student support systems.

Marshall Middle School: More than 80% of students in the reading intervention program have shown notable improvement in word recognition and decoding–reflecting the focused work of our students and dedicated teachers during FLEX time. The five math teams from the middle school continue to excel, placing first, fourth, seventh, eighth, and ninth in their latest competition. The Knowledge Bowl team has advanced to the superregional level. We love to see our academic activities thriving.

Marshall High School: Attendance has been a focus this year and the data trends remain strong.

• 158 students have perfect attendance

• 465 students have missed three or fewer days of school

These numbers demonstrate the commitment of our students and the positive culture fostered by staff. Studies show that students that show up consistently benefit from the regular structure, routine, and connections with staff and peers. Juniors began ACT preparation through the On To College program, which will help them to navigate their future plans.

ALC, CTE, and MCTI: ALC students participated in an engaging business tour, which included handson experiences such as making pizzas for lunch during a visit to The Atlantic Place. Thank you to Avera, ATZ, and ADM for hosting students and showing them future opportunities. The Career and Technical Education students heard from guest speakers including a sonographer and surgical technician, while CNA students are completing clinical hours and preparing for state testing.

Activities & Athletics: Over the holiday break, our boys and girls hockey teams enjoyed an outdoorsy experience during a trip to West Fargo. Marshall also recently hosted the Big South Wrestling Conference tournament at SMSU, drawing more than 700 spectators. We are thankful for the support from SMSU and Marshall Youth Wrestling in making the event a success.

Special education: Southview’s Special Education team received a Pride in the Tiger Foundation grant to purchase new sensory support tools designed to help students regulate emotions and manage stress. Early feedback shows positive student response.

Operations & Food Service: The district received $2,700 in boilerinspection rebates and a $25,000 National School Lunch Program Equipment Grant that will be used to purchase a new steamer. A permanent salad bar has also recently been added at the high school to meet growing student interest in fresh options.

Teaching & Learning: The ACCESS for ELLs testing window runs through March 20 for multilingual learners. Across the district, students are completing mid-year assessments such as mCLASS Math, DIBELS, and Capti ReadBasix. This data helps teachers tailor instruction, identify intervention needs, and provide enrichment. Our staff continue to do a great job with their use of data to support learning.

A Spotlight on Career & Technical Education (CTE): Marshall’s CTE offerings have expanded significantly–from three certified programs to eight in just four years. Students now have more opportunities than ever to explore career pathways, earn industry-recognized certifications, and connect classroom learning with realworld skills. CTE contributes to higher graduation rates, meaningful handson learning, and stronger partnerships with local employers. These programs not only prepare students for the workforce but also support our region’s economic needs.

Closing thoughts

Across every building, our students, teachers, and staff continue to show energy, resilience, and Tiger Pride. From academic growth and handson experiences to athletic achievements and community partnerships, there is always so much to celebrate in Marshall Public Schools. Thank you for your continued support of our students and our schools.

— Jeremy Williams is superintendent of Marshall Public Schools