The Merrill Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to move forward with placing an operating referendum on the April 3, 2018, ballot.
Proposed ballot language specifies a $2.5 million, four-year non-recurring referendum. A recent survey of district residents indicated support for a referendum that would not only plug a projected $1.8 million hole in the district’s operating budget, but provide additional funding for identified areas of concern. Those areas specified in the proposed referendum question – and which also received the most support from survey respondents – include enhancing the K-12 industrial/technical education programs, addressing facilities maintenance and retaining and hiring staff.
The board will hold another special meeting next Wednesday (Dec. 13) to consider a formal resolution to place the referendum question on the ballot. At that meeting, the board will also discuss potential 2018-2019 budget strategies in the event the referendum does not pass.
The board has until Jan. 20 to adopt the referendum resolution. The deadline for getting the referendum on the April 3 ballot is Jan. 23.