Dear Merrill Area Public Schools Community Members:

 

I am writing today to invite your participation on the Merrill Area Public School’s Fiscal Advisory Council.  This council is formed annually to assist the District as we develop the 2011-12 budget.  As you may know, Merrill Area Public Schools continues to face challenges due to the State’s unanticipated shortfall and the negative impact of the educational funding formula.  Again, with this budget, there is the anticipated situation of less revenue than necessary to meet existing needs. The State of Wisconsin financial situation remains unpredictable.  Increased pressure will be exerted on the Merrill 2011-12 budget, particularly because of an ongoing decline in student enrollment and the failure of an operating referendum in the District.

Each year, the District has eliminated a number of budget items based upon a review of the budget.  As this process becomes more challenging, we wish to engage both our internal (students and staff) and external (parent and community members) stakeholders in the process.   Therefore, this budget process will closely examine the need to fill any vacant positions, thus possibly reducing existing positions and/or cutting existing programs. These are the only areas where sizeable reductions can be realized, but we are also interested in examining our entire organization’s expenditures because even smaller savings can add up to the anticipated 1 million dollars in reductions needed.

 

In order to do this work, we believe we need to better understand our community’s priorities for our schools.  We also believe we have to do a better job in communicating what we need to continue to provide a quality education for our students.  The goals of this work will be to promote complete transparency in the budgeting process, educate each other on our priorities and provide a vehicle for community input that will be utilized as we form final recommendations for the Board of Education to consider.

 

We will be holding four consecutive meetings, tentatively to be held in the Merrill High School Library, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on the following dates:  October 4; October 18; November 1; and, November 15.  Snacks or a light meal will be provided.  Each meeting will be highly structured, informative and interactive to maximize the quality use of your time.

 

Please let us know if you can join us in this important work as we must work hand in hand with our community members to ensure high quality schools and thriving area communities.  Please contact Tammy Woller by October 1, 2010 at 715-536-4581 ext. 1302 or email her at tammy.woller@maps.k12.wi.us if you can join us!

 

Sincerely,

Lisa L. Snyder, Ed.D