At its meeting the Merrill Area School District Board approved a resolution to authorize temporary borrowing up to $2.2 million, approved its preliminary fiscal‑year 2026 budget and carried motions to contract for school health screenings and to purchase SPIRE reading materials.
Prairie River Middle School staff told the Merrill Area School District board that discipline referrals and office removals have fallen and literacy outcomes improved after a year of disciplined classroom systems; the board also discussed a two‑SRO model and plans for public messaging.
Wisconsin / School Districts / Merrill Area School District
After public comment from custodial staff about placement and communication, the Merrill Area School District board approved year 1 of a phased support‑staff compensation plan that administrators said will raise every support employee and invests about $156,000 in the first phase.
Wisconsin / School Districts / Merrill Area School District
The board approved several Head Start motions (grant, five‑year goals, cost allocation and CESA 9 training), a five‑year maintenance plan and recommended budget reductions while noting required layoff‑notice steps; consent agenda items and an anonymous $3,000 food‑service donation were also approved.
Wisconsin / School Districts / Merrill Area School District
Student board representatives reported on the Great Speakers Forum, teen mental-health first aid courses, Kindness Week activities, choir events and wrestling qualifiers during the Feb. 18 Merrill Area School District board meeting.
Wisconsin / School Districts / Merrill Area School District
At its Feb. 18 meeting the Merrill Area School District board approved Head Start community and self-assessments, a Head Start transportation waiver, a meal-price increase for 2026–27, updated compensation plans and accepted a $30,000 donation for the Merrill High School Band Endowment; consent agenda items including claims and a personnel appointment also passed.
Wisconsin / School Districts / Merrill Area School District
At its Dec. 17 meeting the Merrill Area School District board approved the 2026–27 school calendar, renewal of a girls hockey co‑op, multiple program contracts and donations, and authorized a $12,000 facility study for Prairie River Middle School; the board later moved into closed session to discuss personnel evaluations.
Wisconsin / School Districts / Merrill Area School District
After a student urged the board not to renew the WIAA boys hockey co‑op, Merrill Area School District trustees debated roster numbers, safety and long‑term sustainability and voted to table a decision until the January committee and Jan. 7 board meeting.
Wisconsin / School Districts / Merrill Area School District
Superintendent Shannon Murray briefed the board on legislative developments including a model cell‑phone ban taking effect July 1 (district guidance to follow), a mention that Act 20 for math lacks funding and may not advance, and district planning tied to the state report card and a 100‑day plan.
Wisconsin / School Districts / Merrill Area School District
The board recognized the Merrill Marching Jays for a state competition finish (reported 84.163 score, third in Class 2A, fourth overall of 34). Student board reps recounted volunteering at Feed My Starving Children and reported packing boxes they estimated equated to about 4,000 meals; athletic and theater updates were also presented.