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As we enter the final month of summer, our staff continues to prepare for the 2026-27 school year. One of the most visible projects this summer has been the reconstruction of the Marshall Middle School parking lot, and the transformation has been impressive.
While the original lot had reached the point where replacement was necessary, it was also designed decades ago for a high school and no longer met the needs of a busy middle school campus.
The new design places a much greater emphasis on safety and efficiency. Improvements include a dedicated drop-off and pick-up lane, updated parking areas, and enhanced accommodations for students arriving by bicycle.
These changes will help improve traffic flow and create a safer environment for students, families, and staff during some of the busiest times of the day.
As we move closer to the start of school, families can expect additional information about traffic patterns and procedures to help everyone navigate the new layout.
This fall, voters will also have an important opportunity to help shape the future of our school district through the election of three School Board members. Six candidates have filed for these positions. Current board members Sara Runchey and Jeff Chapman have chosen not to seek reelection after years of dedicated service to our schools and community, while Sara Brink has filed to run for another term.
School Board service is one of the most important volunteer leadership roles in any community. Board members spend countless hours studying complex issues, attending meetings, engaging with stakeholders, and making difficult decisions that impact our students and schools.
Much of this work happens behind the scenes and often goes unnoticed. On behalf of our district, I want to express sincere gratitude to all of our board members, past and present, for their commitment, leadership, and unwavering support of public education. Their dedication makes a lasting difference for our students and staff.
I am also excited to share that we are beginning our first year of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, Tigers2Teachers. Through a partnership with Teacher Apprentice Minnesota, Southwest Minnesota State University, and Bemidji State University, this innovative program will support current paraprofessionals as they work toward earning their bachelor's degrees and teaching licenses.
Participants will continue to work full time in our schools while completing their coursework and clinical experiences through an apprenticeship model, an approach that has been successful in many professions and is gaining momentum in education. Upon completion of the program, participants will be licensed as Special Education teachers, helping address a critical workforce need while creating new opportunities for talented individuals already serving our students.
What makes this program especially exciting is that these future teachers are already valued members of our school community. They know our students, understand our district, and are deeply committed to helping children succeed. We are proud to support them on this three-year journey and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments as they develop into the next generation of educators in Marshall.
Finally, I'd like to highlight an issue you'll see on the November ballot that directly affects public education in Minnesota.
For more than 165 years, the Permanent School Fund has helped support our schools through revenue generated from state school trust lands and investments. While the fund has grown significantly over the past decade, the state's constitution limits how much of that growth can be distributed to schools each year.
This November, voters will be asked to consider a constitutional amendment that would modernize how distributions from the Permanent School Fund are calculated.
The proposal would not create a new tax or raise existing taxes. Instead, it would update a funding formula that has remained largely unchanged for generations, allowing schools to benefit more fully from the growth of this long-standing educational trust while preserving it for future students.
According to the analysis that led to the proposal, the change could increase annual distributions to schools by approximately 40 percent and provide more predictable funding for districts across Minnesota. Every district would benefit through the existing per-pupil distribution formula, helping support local priorities and the educational opportunities we provide for students.
As always, thank you for your support of Marshall Public Schools. We are looking forward to welcoming students back soon and beginning another great year of learning, growth, and opportunity.
-- Jeremy Williams is superintendent of Marshall Public School District