On Tuesday, Nov. 8, our community will be asked to vote on two operating referenda questions for the Marshall Public Schools. The first referendum question is to extend the current operating referendum amount of $675 per pupil. The second question is to increase the referendum level in the community by $150 per pupil.
The Marshall Public Schools relies on operating referendum funding to fund services and programs across the entire school district.
The existing referendum amount of $675 per pupil has supported programs such as all day every day kindergarten, smaller class sizes at the primary school level in kindergarten through 4th grade, as well as educational programs such as the vocational agricultural programs at Marshall High School and advanced educational opportunities including advanced placement courses and college in the school classes in Marshall High School. These programs and services have become essential in our school district operations and meet the expectations of our community to provide the best educational opportunities we can for the children of our community.
The second operating referendum question of $150 per pupil is designed to advance the districts goals of ensuring our children are well prepared for a very dynamic future that is immersed in technology. We know that we cannot go through a day in our modern society without feeling the impact of technology in our work and our daily lives.
As we embrace the reality of technology in our world, the district has a vision to embrace and incorporate mobile computing throughout the schools in the district. In order to do this, the district must have viable wireless computer networks throughout the schools.
At this time, there is no wireless network in Park Side School, there is no wireless network at West Side School, and there are very limited wireless networks in the Marshall Middle School and the Marshall High School. In order for our district to embrace and integrate mobile learning throughout our schools, it is essential that our schools are equipped with necessary wireless technology networks. Once these wireless networks are in place, the district will move toward a one-to-one computer initiative throughout the district. The eventual goal is to provide students with a mobile computing device, such as an IPAD. This effort is grounded in the research suggesting that the effective integration of technology into classroom instruction can positively impact student motivation, engagement, interest, and learning.
Additionally, funding from the second question will support ongoing maintenance of facilities in the district. Among the deferred maintenance needs is the ongoing repair and replacement of roofs throughout the district. This will ensure that the investments made by the Marshall community in our facilities over the last several years are well maintained.
Overall, the two referenda questions are essential to the ongoing success of the Marshall Public Schools. We are proud that we have over 94 percent satisfaction from our parents when asked about the experiences with Marshall Public Schools. Further, 95 percent of our students have expressed satisfaction with their educational experience. Students have continued to do very well, both in academic endeavors and in extra-curricular and co-curricular endeavors.
The district's graduation rate far exceeds the state average. When students graduate from Marshall Public Schools over 90 percent of the student attend a post-secondary institution to further their education. Marshall Public Schools has been recognized for performance excellence multiple times, most recently by having both Park Side Elementary and West Side Elementary named as Schools of Excellence in Minnesota. All of these successes have been the direct result of the vision of our school district and community to be recognized as an educational leader.
Remember to vote on Tuesday, Nov, 8. The polling location is the National Guard Armory in Marshall and the polling hours are from 7 a.m- 8 p.m. Thank-you for your support of your Marshall Public Schools. Remember, it is a GREAT day to be a Tiger!