Superintendent’s Corner…

October 5–11 marks American School Board Week, and it’s the perfect time to pause and recognize a group of community members whose contributions too often go unnoticed: the Merrill Area Public Schools Board of Education.
Having worked in the district for the past 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many different boards—each with unique perspectives, strengths, and challenges. Today, I can confidently say that our current Board is among the most steady, thoughtful, and dedicated I’ve seen. They are an incredible asset not only to our students and staff, but to the entire Merrill community.
In today’s world, serving on a school board is no small task. Tighter budgets, shifting policies, increased political pressures, and the rapid pace of change in education make the role more complex than ever. Yet, despite these challenges—and with little recognition or reward—our Board members show up, stay engaged, and do the hard work necessary to ensure our schools thrive.
What makes our Board exceptional is their deep commitment to the work. Every month, they serve on committees that handle everything from budgeting and facilities to curriculum and student support. These are important work sessions; our Board members ask hard questions, engage in thoughtful debate, and come prepared. It’s also worth noting how often they attend each other’s committee meetings—not out of obligation, but out of a genuine desire to be informed and make the best possible decisions for our district. That level of involvement and teamwork is something truly unique to Merrill.
School Board service is not glamorous. It’s often behind the scenes, sometimes thankless, and rarely in the spotlight. But here in Merrill, we are fortunate to have nine individuals who step up, serve with integrity, and consistently put students first. The MAPS Board of Education consists of Nubs Ashbeck, Kevin Blake, Amber De Rizzo, Jacqueline Gremler, Mike Hornischer, Ron Liberty, Paul Proulx, Jon Smith, and Brett Woller.

Warm regards,
Shannon Murray
Superintendent, MAPS