Superintendent Shannon Murray recently joined Jeff on WJJQ Radio in Tomahawk for a conversation about property taxes and district-related topics. Thank you to WJJQ for the opportunity to share important information with our community.
🎧 Listen to the interview here: https://www.wjjq.com/pg/podcasts_news
#WeAreMAPS
🎧 Listen to the interview here: https://www.wjjq.com/pg/podcasts_news
#WeAreMAPS
Superintendent Shannon Murray to the rescue! 🙌 Last Friday, he picked up our middle school Ski Club students and drove them to the high school. Just another example of how he wears many hats to support our students and schools. Thank you, Mr. Murray—we appreciate you! #WeAreMAPS
❄️ Behind the Scenes of a Snow Day ❄️
Ever wonder how a snow day decision is made? From early morning road checks to weather data and safety considerations across our large district, there is a lot that goes into the call.
The latest Superintendent’s Corner is now live and gives a behind-the-scenes look at how MAPS makes weather-related decisions - with student safety always coming first.
👉 Click the link here to read more - https://www.mapsedu.org/page/superintendents-corner
#WeAreMAPS
Ever wonder how a snow day decision is made? From early morning road checks to weather data and safety considerations across our large district, there is a lot that goes into the call.
The latest Superintendent’s Corner is now live and gives a behind-the-scenes look at how MAPS makes weather-related decisions - with student safety always coming first.
👉 Click the link here to read more - https://www.mapsedu.org/page/superintendents-corner
#WeAreMAPS
Check out the new spring Community Education catalog - registration opens January 29, 2026!
https://www.mapsedu.org/o/community-education
#WeAreMAPS
📢 Reminder for Families 📢
🚨 No School for Grades K-4 on Friday, January 30, 2026 🚨
This day is dedicated to Professional Learning for our K-4 teaching and support staff. Our team will be focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of the Science of Reading through LETRS training.
Thank you for your support as we continue to strengthen literacy education for our students! 📚✨ Please share. #WeAreMAPS
🚨 No School for Grades K-4 on Friday, January 30, 2026 🚨
This day is dedicated to Professional Learning for our K-4 teaching and support staff. Our team will be focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of the Science of Reading through LETRS training.
Thank you for your support as we continue to strengthen literacy education for our students! 📚✨ Please share. #WeAreMAPS
Due to the extreme cold weather warning that we are under, MAPS Schools will be closed Friday, January 23, 2026. This includes all after school activities on Friday. Please share. #WeAreMAPS
🌲✨ Merrill School Forest Family Fun Day ✨🌲
Join us on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a fun-filled day at the Merrill School Forest!
✔️ Free equipment rentals
✔️ No admission fee
✔️ Free food
📍 Location: N4740 State Highway 107, Merrill, WI 54452
This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors together. Be sure to check out the attached flyer for more details. We hope to see you there! 💙🌳 #WeAreMAPS
Join us on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a fun-filled day at the Merrill School Forest!
✔️ Free equipment rentals
✔️ No admission fee
✔️ Free food
📍 Location: N4740 State Highway 107, Merrill, WI 54452
This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors together. Be sure to check out the attached flyer for more details. We hope to see you there! 💙🌳 #WeAreMAPS
☕Coffee with the Superintendent ☕
Join Superintendent Shannon Murray for an informal conversation about what’s happening in the district!
🗓 Tuesday, January 27, 2026
🕗 8:00–9:00 a.m.
📍 Auntie Ray’s Coffee House – 812 E. 1st Street, Merrill
This is a great opportunity to learn more about district updates and ask questions in a casual setting.
Topics will include:
• Property taxes and school funding
• Prairie River Middle School facilities study
• School improvement efforts
We hope to see you there! 💙 Please share! #WeAreMAPS
Join Superintendent Shannon Murray for an informal conversation about what’s happening in the district!
🗓 Tuesday, January 27, 2026
🕗 8:00–9:00 a.m.
📍 Auntie Ray’s Coffee House – 812 E. 1st Street, Merrill
This is a great opportunity to learn more about district updates and ask questions in a casual setting.
Topics will include:
• Property taxes and school funding
• Prairie River Middle School facilities study
• School improvement efforts
We hope to see you there! 💙 Please share! #WeAreMAPS
The Nest is so fortunate to have been chosen by The Eagles Club of Merrill as beneficiaries of their next pancake feed. Please come and support this wonderful initiative. #WeAreMAPS
📅 Reminder for Families:
There will be no school for students on Monday, January 19, 2026, as it is a Merrill School Improvement (MSI) Day for staff.
Thank you for your understanding as our staff uses this time for professional learning and planning to support student success. 💙 Please share. #WeAreMAPS
There will be no school for students on Monday, January 19, 2026, as it is a Merrill School Improvement (MSI) Day for staff.
Thank you for your understanding as our staff uses this time for professional learning and planning to support student success. 💙 Please share. #WeAreMAPS
Due to the freezing rain that is forecasted for this morning, the Merrill Area Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
📢 Reminder for Families 📢
🚨 No School for Grades K-4 on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 🚨
This day is dedicated to Professional Learning for our K-4 teaching and support staff. Our team will be focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of the Science of Reading through LETRS training.
Thank you for your support as we continue to strengthen literacy education for our students! 📚✨ Please share. #WeAreMAPS
🚨 No School for Grades K-4 on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 🚨
This day is dedicated to Professional Learning for our K-4 teaching and support staff. Our team will be focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of the Science of Reading through LETRS training.
Thank you for your support as we continue to strengthen literacy education for our students! 📚✨ Please share. #WeAreMAPS
🧾 Understanding your Tax Bill 🧾
Check out the latest Superintendent's Corner on our website here: https://www.mapsedu.org/page/superintendents-corner. This month, Superintendent Shannon Murray discusses understanding this year's school-related tax bill. #WeAreMAPS
🌟 Staff Shout-Out! 🌟
Also recognized at last night’s School Board Meeting was Casie Wroblewski!
A huge shout-out to Casie for organizing the PRMS Huddle Olympics—a fun and meaningful way to bring the entire school together on Friday mornings. Her efforts have created incredible energy in the field house as students live PRMS Strong—cheering one another on, applying the 7 Mindsets, and showing that everything is possible! 💙👏 #WeAreMAPS
Also recognized at last night’s School Board Meeting was Casie Wroblewski!
A huge shout-out to Casie for organizing the PRMS Huddle Olympics—a fun and meaningful way to bring the entire school together on Friday mornings. Her efforts have created incredible energy in the field house as students live PRMS Strong—cheering one another on, applying the 7 Mindsets, and showing that everything is possible! 💙👏 #WeAreMAPS
🌟 Staff Shout-Out! 🌟
A big congratulations to Maria Pernsteiner, who was recognized at last night’s School Board Meeting for her outstanding work in revitalizing the PRMS Family & Consumer Science program!
Maria has gone above and beyond—securing stoves, kitchen appliances, and food donations, and personally reaching out to thank our generous supporters. Her dedication is making a huge impact and providing students with meaningful opportunities to develop essential life skills for success beyond school. 👏💙 #WeAreMAPS
A big congratulations to Maria Pernsteiner, who was recognized at last night’s School Board Meeting for her outstanding work in revitalizing the PRMS Family & Consumer Science program!
Maria has gone above and beyond—securing stoves, kitchen appliances, and food donations, and personally reaching out to thank our generous supporters. Her dedication is making a huge impact and providing students with meaningful opportunities to develop essential life skills for success beyond school. 👏💙 #WeAreMAPS
📢 Reminder for Families 📢
🚨 No School for Grades K-4 on Thursday, October 30, 2025 🚨
This day is dedicated to Professional Learning for our K-4 teaching and support staff. Our team will be focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of the Science of Reading through LETRS training.
Thank you for your support as we continue to strengthen literacy education for our students! 📚✨ Please share. #WeAreMAPS
🚨 No School for Grades K-4 on Thursday, October 30, 2025 🚨
This day is dedicated to Professional Learning for our K-4 teaching and support staff. Our team will be focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of the Science of Reading through LETRS training.
Thank you for your support as we continue to strengthen literacy education for our students! 📚✨ Please share. #WeAreMAPS
☕ Coffee with the Superintendent
Join Superintendent Shannon Murray for an informal conversation about what’s happening in the district!
🗓 Tuesday, October 28, 2025
🕗 8:00–9:00 a.m.
📍 Auntie Ray’s Coffee House – 812 E. 1st Street, Merrill
This is a great opportunity to learn more about district updates and ask questions in a casual setting.
Topics will include:
• The state of the budget
• 5th grade transition to the elementary level
• The future of the Prairie River Middle School building
We hope to see you there! 💙 Please share! #WeAreMAPS
Join Superintendent Shannon Murray for an informal conversation about what’s happening in the district!
🗓 Tuesday, October 28, 2025
🕗 8:00–9:00 a.m.
📍 Auntie Ray’s Coffee House – 812 E. 1st Street, Merrill
This is a great opportunity to learn more about district updates and ask questions in a casual setting.
Topics will include:
• The state of the budget
• 5th grade transition to the elementary level
• The future of the Prairie River Middle School building
We hope to see you there! 💙 Please share! #WeAreMAPS
🎉 Congratulations to Noah Klug, our September Youth Optimist of the Month! Your positive attitude, hard work, and leadership make us proud to call you a Bluejay! 💙 #WeAreMAPS
Superintendent Shannon Murray and Board President Kevin Blake joined Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan to recap the latest Board of Education meeting. 🎙️
🎧 Listen here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Be-LEK03ed2UAIfcFgx1qId6P1DUq2Mo/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gxbWIDxT_jVlcqB9d-CNMcIK-KcBl3WJ/view?usp=sharing
#WeAreMAPS
🎧 Listen here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Be-LEK03ed2UAIfcFgx1qId6P1DUq2Mo/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gxbWIDxT_jVlcqB9d-CNMcIK-KcBl3WJ/view?usp=sharing
#WeAreMAPS
🎙️ Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan – Featuring Mark Powell
Merrill Area Public Schools Director of Finance, Mark Powell, recently joined Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan to share updates as the school year gets into full swing!
🚌 Transportation Updates
💼 Employment Opportunities
📅 Important Dates & Reminders
💰 Budget & Levy Update
Mark also shared that the Annual Meeting was held last month and the 2025 preliminary budget and initial tax levy were presented. At this point, taxes are projected to increase about 9% due to reduced state aid, with final numbers expected in October.
🎧 Listen to the full interview to hear more from Mark on these topics and other district updates:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gG4ErizCAhLMDzxbC487IPhqH1m9MKP1/view?usp=sharing
Merrill Area Public Schools Director of Finance, Mark Powell, recently joined Bluejay Radio’s Community Scan to share updates as the school year gets into full swing!
🚌 Transportation Updates
💼 Employment Opportunities
📅 Important Dates & Reminders
💰 Budget & Levy Update
Mark also shared that the Annual Meeting was held last month and the 2025 preliminary budget and initial tax levy were presented. At this point, taxes are projected to increase about 9% due to reduced state aid, with final numbers expected in October.
🎧 Listen to the full interview to hear more from Mark on these topics and other district updates:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gG4ErizCAhLMDzxbC487IPhqH1m9MKP1/view?usp=sharing
