Lunch and Learn: Operating Referendum

Date and Time

Wednesday Oct 8, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT

Location

To Be Decided.

Fees/Admission

$18 for Chamber Members
$23 for non-Chamber Members

Lunch is included with registration

Contact Information

Sam Lund
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Description

Lunch and Learn
Wednesday, October 8th
12:00 to 1:00pm

Operating Referendum

Marshall Public Schools recently celebrated its highest graduation rate in recent history and the debut of several new initiatives aimed at improving career preparedness and early childhood literacy. In the face of these successes, MPS is among dozens of school districts statewide grappling with a 19% relative drop in state funding – the primary funding source of local schools – since 2005. Despite cutting over $350,000 from the budget in 2024-2025 alone, MPS faces a projected budget deficit of $1.8 million in 2025-2026. During this Lunch and Learn, MPS Supt. Jeremy Williams and Sarah Kirchner, Director of Finance, will share important insights into how funding from the state influences the year-to-year ability of local schools to innovate and prepare students for successful careers. They will also share important details on the upcoming operating levy referendum, a proposal that will give residents the choice to approve new local funding for their schools on Tuesday, November 4. Don’t miss this opportunity to be in-the-know with your local schools and learn how they’re working on behalf of students in Marshall!

Supt. Jeremy Williams

Jeremy understands the impact a strong education can have on a student’s future and its importance to building a vibrant civic and business community. A native of southwest Minnesota, Jeremy started his career in 2001 as a Spanish teacher at Marshall High School. He quickly advanced to become Assistant Principal of Marshall High School, the Assistant Principal of MATEC (now ALC), the Principal of West Side Elementary, and the Director of Teaching and Learning before being selected as the Superintendent of Marshall Public Schools. He is committed to working with Chamber members and other local partners to demonstrate the critical relationship between strong schools and community health and finding unique ways to advance Marshall Public Schools mission to “educate, support and prepare ALL learners for success.” Outside of his work, Jeremy spends time with his wife, four children, and 2 dogs.

Sarah Kirchner

As the Director of Finance for the Marshall Public School District, Sarah Kirchner brings over 15 years of experience in finance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Southwest Minnesota State University. Before joining MPS, Sarah served as the Chief Executive Officer at Prairie Home Hospice & Community Care in Marshall. Prior to this she served as the Fiscal Manager for Southwest Health and Human Services, which encompasses six area counties Public Health and Human Services departments. In her current role, she is responsible for establishing and managing the District’s budget, audit oversite, and ensuring local, state, and federal regulations compliance, and providing expert fiscal guidance for District leadership and the School Board. As a long time, resident of Marshall Sarah enjoys volunteering and participating in community activities and events and cheering for her daughters in school activities.