As we finalize this year’s budget revisions, we are already planning for next year. Despite our best efforts to manage costs efficiently, the district will need to use more than $1 million in reserves this school year due to inflation and state mandates.

For the 2025-26 school year, we project a deficit of more than $1 million, so the school board has directed us to cut $350,000 from operations and cover the rest with reserves.

Looking ahead, we anticipate deeper deficits as education costs continue to rise. With no significant funding increases expected from the state or federal government, the district faces future budget cuts that could affect staffing, class sizes, and student services, ultimately impacting education quality. While we are using reserves to cover recent shortfalls, they are not a sustainable long-term solution. These funds are meant for emergencies, not ongoing operational costs.

More than 70% of Minnesota schools rely on local operating levies for essential services. Our district’s previous operating referendum of $675 per pupil expired in 2018 and has not been renewed. We will continue working to control costs while exploring additional sources of financial support.

As always, we appreciate our community’s support. I will provide more updates as we navigate these financial challenges.

All of our sites have been busy this month; I’m excited to share a few highlights from the past month:

February was “I Love to Read Month,” one of the most exciting times at our elementary schools! Our staff spends countless hours teaching students the skills needed to become passionate readers. “I Love to Read Month” provides an additional opportunity to foster and celebrate our students’ love of reading.

We are excited to welcome Junior Achievement volunteers again this year. Junior Achievement aims to inspire and prepare young people for success in a global economy by providing education on personal financial responsibility, budgeting, critical thinking, career readiness, and entrepreneurial skills. We are grateful for the volunteers who share their knowledge with our students.

Looking ahead to April, Park Side, ECFE and the PTA are sponsoring a free family concert for families with young children, from infants to elementary ages. To celebrate the Week of the Young Child, we invite all families to join us for a fun concert at Park Side School on April 3 from 5:30-6:30 pm.

Last month, our second graders participated in a reading contest, where each homeroom teacher tallied the number of minutes students read during the week and compared it to other classrooms. This month, students are voting for their favorite books in our March Madness bracket. Our fourth-grade students have been presenting their wax museum projects, showcasing their hard work and skills to friends and family.

Congratulations to Charles Mueller Thompson, an eighth grader, who recently earned a spot in the National Spelling Bee by winning the State Spelling Bee. He will compete on the national stage in Maryland in May.

Our middle school math team also made us proud by advancing to the state MathCounts competition. After finishing second place at the regional level, Sawyer Bresnahan, Ryan Larsen, Charles Mueller Thompson, and Carter Price earned a trip to state. Our mathletes have truly excelled.

Senior students submitted their Pride in the Tiger scholarship applications by Monday, March 10. The awards ceremony is scheduled for May 14 at 7 p.m. at Marshall High School.

Our third annual career and job fair took place on Friday at the High School. High school students had the opportunity to meet with employers and learn about community opportunities. Shanda Walker, our Community Engagement Coordinator, has worked tirelessly to organize the event, and we were excited for our students to interact with over 70 local businesses.

The annual CEO Trade Show is set for Wednesday, April 30 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Tyler Golf Club. We will partner with the Marshall Chamber for a Business After Hours Event. Everyone is invited to attend and learn more about the Young Professionals and the businesses they have started.

The American Indian Spring Event for MPS American Indian families and students is tentatively scheduled for May 7 at MHS. The AIPAC is diligently working out the details and will provide cultural events for the evening.

The MHS Jazz Band recently participated in the Upper Great Plains Festival at Augustana University, showcasing their talents. Special congratulations to Scott Griebel, who received a citation for musical excellence in recognition of his outstanding improvisation.

Our winter activities are wrapping up a very successful season! A few specific celebrations include:

Both our team and individual wrestlers qualified for the state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center, marking the program’s first team appearance at the state level since 2018. The team finished 6th overall, with several individual medalists, including State Champion Lincoln Christianson. Both Coach Ethan Hoppe and Assistant Coach Dave Wingert were recognized for their work as Coach and Assistant Coaches of the year. Congratulations to all our wrestlers and coaching staff for their hard work and dedication!

Business Professionals of America (BPA) had a strong showing at the state event in Minneapolis, with 42 participants competing in various competitions. An impressive 16 students qualified for the National Conference in Orlando this May. Additionally, Anna DeGroot and AJ Runchey Smalley earned the prestigious Statesman Torch Awards and will be recognized with Ambassador Torch Awards at nationals. Congratulations to all on their achievements!

The Knowledge Bowl program has had another remarkable season, with excellent performance at the regional competition at SMSU. Marshall teams dominated the event, sweeping the podium. Three of our teams have qualified for the state competition later this spring in Brainerd.

The Marshall Tigers boys’ basketball team made a strong playoff run, returning to the section finals for the first time since 2021. In addition to their on-court success, the team was recognized as the top academic team in the section, highlighting their dedication both athletically and academically.

The MHS Math Team participated in the state event this past week, performing well but finishing outside of the podium. Jack Gunn was the top scorer for the team at the tournament.

The girls’ basketball team had a phenomenal season and took second in the state championship game. Additionally, Assistant Coach Step Bot has been honored as the Section Assistant Coach of the Year for her contributions to the program.

It’s hard to believe we are entering the last quarter of the school year; 4th quarter seems to always fly by with many activities and end of the year celebrations. Again, thanks for your ongoing support of our schools and programs.

— Jeremy Williams is superintendent of Marshall Public Schools