MAPS asks residents to give feedback on future of District facilities

The Merrill Area Public School (MAPS) District School Board and administration are seeking broad feedback on facilities priorities and potential future improvement plans with a community-wide survey.
This survey is a result of the three Facilities Planning Community Focus Group sessions that were held this summer; all Merrill residents were invited and welcomed to attend, and if they were unable to attend in person, the District shared the presentation materials on the school website. Feedback was received from more than 30 individuals during these sessions, and the District was able to frame the community-wide survey around the information gathered.
The eight-page survey was recently delivered to all MAPS District residents. The survey will provide the District with valuable information about the desired direction for future improvements. The District values community input and appreciates the public’s consideration of participation in this important work.
MAPS is also hosting a Community Listening Session on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 at 6 p.m. at Jefferson Elementary School to provide an opportunity for community members to get their questions answered and share input regarding the survey and the District’s long-range facilities master plan while the survey is open. No RSVP is required to attend, and the meeting is open to all.
To view the proposed plans and learn more about the facilities planning work, visit the district website. Over the past year, the District has been assessing and evaluating options to address facility needs that are too large to be covered by the District’s annual operating budget and will make the best use of the best facilities.

The purpose of the community survey is to gather feedback on potential plans to consolidate operations, close/sell buildings, and invest in the remaining buildings to upgrade building systems and create more modern learning environments for current and future Bluejays. The survey feedback will help the District and School Board prioritize which projects should be funded in the near and long-term future.
To collect feedback, the District is working with School Perceptions LLC, an independent data firm with expertise in conducting school district surveys. Residents can complete the paper survey and mail it back to School Perceptions in the postage-paid envelope provided or log on to the website listed on the paper survey, enter the unique access code, and take the survey online.
To get additional survey copies for members of MAPS households, call the District Office at 715.536.4581. The survey is open until Nov. 20, 2023.
Results of the survey will be reported at the Board of Education meeting in December and will be available on the District’s website.
More information is also on the District’s website at www.mapsedu.org. Questions can be directed to Shannon Murray, Superintendent, 715.536.4581 or shannon.murray@mapsedu.org.