Yesterday, our community made an important decision about the future of MSD of Shakamak.
Based on the unofficial election results indicating passage of the operating referendum, our district anticipates having additional financial resources to help address the challenges facing our schools, maintain essential operations, and support the people, programs, and opportunities that serve our students.
The record voter turnout speaks volumes about how deeply our community cares about its schools and its future. The close outcome also reminds us that our community holds different perspectives about how we address the challenges before us. Those perspectives deserve to be heard and respected.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to learn about the referendum, ask questions, participate in conversations, and exercise their right to vote. I am also deeply grateful to the many volunteers who generously gave their time and energy throughout this process, helping share information, engage with neighbors, and encourage community participation. Civic engagement matters, and I am grateful to live and work in a community where people care enough to get involved and make their voices heard.
As we move forward, our commitment remains to the entire Shakamak community. We recognize that people hold different perspectives, and we respect those differences. Our responsibility is to every student, every family, and every taxpayer. We will continue listening and making decisions with the best interests of our students and the long-term future of our district in mind.
With this decision comes significant responsibility. Our Board of School Trustees and administration remain committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and ensuring these funds are used in accordance with the purposes communicated to our community.
The referendum does not eliminate every financial challenge we face, nor does it change our obligation to make thoughtful decisions about how we operate. It provides additional resources as we continue planning responsibly for the future. We will also continue closely monitoring legislation at the Statehouse that affects school funding and the responsibilities of local districts. As those discussions take place, we will communicate Shakamak’s needs to our legislators and keep our community informed about decisions that affect our schools. This work, alongside careful local planning, remains essential to our district’s long-term financial stability.
Elections may reveal differences in perspective, but our shared commitment to the students of Shakamak is something that can continue to bring us together.
Our community has made its decision. Now, our responsibility is to move forward together, with respect for one another and a shared commitment to the future of Shakamak.
Forward Together,
Dr. Smith
Superintendent, MSD of Shakamak