BY DR. JOHN SAMPLE, PROUD SUPERINTENDENT
On the April 5 ballot, school district voters will see a referendum question from the Merrill Area Public Schools. Please look for the referendum question on your ballot. Whether you vote in-person or absentee, every vote matters. To help you cast an informed vote, I would like to review a few important facts.
Existing Referendum Expires
First, Merrill Area Public Schools has an existing referendum that expires at the end of the school year. We are very grateful for the funds provided by the 2018 referendum. We are seeking to renew that referendum for an additional four (4) years.
No Increase in School Tax Mill Rate
Second, if approved, there will be no school mill rate tax increase to area residents. This point may be hard to understand. I’ve heard questions such as, “You are asking for money, and yet it won’t cost me anything?”
School district funding is complicated. It might be easiest to understand that as one referendum sunsets, this referendum replaces it. The Board of Education must ask for voter approval to continue the referendum: We can’t continue it without approval on the April 5 ballot. Also, we conducted a community survey last fall. You may have taken part. The results showed that most respondents would support a referendum for the same amount as the previous referendum.
Therefore, while costs have increased, we honored the feedback that was received and we are again asking for $2.5 million annually, for four years – from 2022-23 school year until the end of the 2025-26 school year. This is the same amount of money we asked for and was approved in the 2018 referendum. This means we must continue to tighten our belts while maintaining programs and services. If it doesn’t pass, we will be forced to cut programs and services.
Maintaining Quality Educational Programming
Third, and legitimately, community members want to know how the funds will benefit students. We are proud of our schools. All elementary schools exceed expectations on the state report card. All our programs, and especially our career and college readiness programs, including our updated technical education program, are preparing young people for high-demand careers and the workplace. To provide a quality educational program, we need quality teachers and support staff in our schools.
That’s where the referendum helps us. With approved funds, we can maintain appropriate class sizes, offer the educational program our students need, and keep and recruit high-quality staff.
On our website, we have answers to commonly asked questions. We have mailed informational materials to homes and distributed a flier through the newspaper. If you need more information, please contact me at 715-536-4581, extension 10003. I want to be sure you have all the information you need to cast an informed vote.
Please Vote April 5, 2022!
Learn where to vote by visiting myvote.wi.gov.