Mercer School referendum on ballot

By MEGAN HUGHES

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Mercer — The Mercer Area Schools have proposed a referendum on the April 2 ballot to help maintain operations, programs and facilities, including hiring needed personnel for the school, according to district administrator Renae McMurray.

The referendum would raise $800,000 a year, for five years, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

“An operational referendum would cover our general operational expenses, our staffing expenses. Specifically what we are looking at is facility improvements, and the cost to attract and retain staff,” said McMurray. “A big portion of it is compensating for declining revenue for us.”

McMurray also said that a portion of the funds would go toward replacing aging instructional material.

McMurray explained that the school is anticipating seeing a decline of around $500,000 in the next school year, between declining enrollment revenue and expiration of federal grant money.

She said that the area the school district serves has seen a decline in student numbers in recent years, which she attributed to fewer families with children moving into the area. “The age group below age 18 has been decreasing.”

The facility underwent an audit in 2017 where it was brought to the school’s attention that the boilers were past life expectancy, and have since then had several instances of heat fails.

“Our director of buildings and ground has been able to fix them and make sure they are working,” she said. “But they will not last forever.”

The school’s HVAC system was also an item that she said the school is looking at replacing, as it was first installed in 1972.

“It would give better air quality for our students,” she said.

A portion of the funds is planned to go toward compensating faculty at a rate that is competitive with other schools in the area, and hiring key staff members.

“Last time, when the referendum did not pass, we reduced positions, so we have combination classes across our elementary school,” said McMurray. “We have a K-1 combination, 2-3 combination and the 4-6 grade team is teaching 7-8 grade English. Our business teacher is also teaching 9-12 English, and our K-12 art teacher is teaching high school special education.”

She said the school would be looking at hiring an English teacher, a special education aide, and custodial support staff.

“It wouldn’t hire everyone back,” she said. “But it would bring back some of those key positions.”

Should the referendum not pass, McMurray said it would result in the school having to cut $200,000 from the budget for the next school year.