District welcoming community members to see buildings, learn about April 2 capital facilities referendum
Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) will host two referendum information sessions to inform community members about the upcoming April 2 capital referendum.
Attendees of either referendum information session will have the opportunity to pose questions to District administrators, Board of Education members, and representatives from the District’s financial, design, and construction partners. The District encourages all residents of MAPS to attend a session and tour each of the hosting school buildings, Jefferson Elementary and Merrill High School.
Referendum information sessions will be held at the following dates and times:
- Monday, Feb. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at Jefferson Elementary School
- Monday, Mar. 25 from 6-8 p.m. at Merrill High School
No RSVP is required to attend either of these events.
On April 2, MAPS residents will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum question that requests permission for the District to borrow funds (issue debt) in an amount not-to-exceed $16 million for a facilities improvement plan to make the best use of the District’s best facilities.
MAPS has developed a plan to address the most pressing facilities issues and better utilize the District’s educational spaces. To address the challenges facing the District—funding, aging facilities, utilization, declining enrollment—a base plan was developed that would close four buildings and seek to sell the Pine River School for Young Learners (PRSYL) property. PRSYL, Bridges Virtual Academy (BVA), and the Northern Achievement Center (NAC) programming would move into the Jefferson Elementary building, following key updates and renovations to Jefferson.
“We are hosting these two referendum information sessions prior to the April 2 vote to give our residents and taxpayers a chance to learn more about the upcoming referendum and get any questions they may have answered. The administration and Board of Education, to continue to engage and inform our community of MAPS’ future plans, encourage everyone to attend,” said Shannon Murray, MAPS Superintendent.
He said MAPS is committed to continued efforts to make the best use of their best buildings, and has made it a priority to develop a plan to improve facilities and update the existing aging buildings and grounds.
For additional information, please visit the District’s website at mapsedu.org or contact Shannon Murray at 715.536.4581 or email him at [email protected].