Marne Mercer - Stevens Point Area School Board Member

06/17/2026

If you've ever found yourself asking, "Are the board members and district being good stewards of our taxes?" or wondering if the board is making the necessary difficult decisions in light of declining enrollment, this post is for you.

"The Stevens Point Area Public School District has launched a new Program & Budget Evaluation webpage designed to to provide families, staff, and community members with a centralized location to access information related to district planning and decision-making...

The page includes:

- Enrollment trends and projections
- Staffing information and updates
- Budget and Financial context
- Program Review highlights
- Frequently asked questions
- Related Planning Resources"

We are continually seeking new ways to keep the public informed and provide transparency into our budget and decision-making process. We include a Budget Evaluation update in every board meeting, so if you have ideas - please do come and share them!

Program & Budget Evaluation - Stevens Point Area School District

06/10/2026

From our Apprenticeship Programs to AP classes, to partnerships with Mid-State and UWSP, we strive to ensure our students are prepared for life after graduation. We are fortunate to have so many great options.

What do you think it takes for a child to be "ready?"

🎓 UW-Stevens Point just earned a big honor — named a 2025-26 College of Distinction! What makes it stand out? See link below ⬇️

📸 Provided by UW-Stevens Point

06/05/2026

Monthly, our Superintendent sends out a connection newsletter. Since it is the end of the school year, I want to highlight some of what she called out:

"This year:

- Behavior incidents involving physical aggression decreased by 16% from 2024–25 to 2025–26.

- Chronic absenteeism decreased significantly, with an approximate district-wide reduction of 18% compared to this time last year.

- Math achievement at both the elementary and secondary levels continues to remain strong and exceeds the state average on our district report card.

- Through our ongoing budget and program review process, we identified approximately $1.2 million in cost savings for the 2026–27 school year.

- In response to identified family needs and interests, we expanded our 4K programming for the 2026–27 school year to include five full-day program options."

I am proud of the work that we have accomplished together as a Board, an Administration, and a District this year. We are fortunate to have a well-functioning board with road perspectives, and board members who constantly question what we are doing and how we do it, to achieve the best-possible results.

I know there is still room to grow, and I recognize that the economic climate right now means that rising property taxes remain a burden on our citizens. We are committed to continue to look for savings opportunities and efficiency (most recently, through the building of our Schools 2026 Task Force). And we hope that the legislature can come together to pass meaningful reform soon.

And, as always - thank you to our teachers and staff for your amazing work this year. Getting to hear about everything you are doing for our most precious resources, our children, lifts my spirits every day. Enjoy your summer; I know you need it!

05/23/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 SPASH graduates (and shortly to our CFC and PoDS graduates). Your accomplishments are remarkable, and I can't wait to see how you go on to make a difference in the world!

05/20/2026

The school year is winding down, and in a bittersweet moment for this School Board Member, this is our last year with an elementary school student. Here she is showing off her school spirit at the track meet!

To all you wonderful, frazzled teachers and staff who are holding on for summer- hang in there. Only a couple more weeks!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1RGwkWhvYf/

05/05/2026

There aren't words enough to express how grateful I am to the teachers and staff who are the heart of this school system. Your dedication, your commitment, and your struggle do not go unnoticed.

So here is my tribute to you, today, in the form of a sonnet.

Stay the Course

When budgets thin and daylight feels too small,
You show up early, coffee now lukewarm,
Bearing the weight of lessons, hearts, and halls
Where patience has become a steady norm.
You chart the course when schedules twist and strain,
With every minute borrowed, bent, or lost;
You meet resistance, worry, grief, complain—
Still choosing calm, regardless of the cost.

Through raised concerns, through systems slow to bend,
Through students testing limits, trust, and grace,
You stay the course; still managing to tend
The fragile spark no testing can replace.
You teach the things that cannot be cut back:
How to be human. How to light the path.

04/02/2026

These kiddos, who are representing both of our Junior High Schools, have been working hard for months, preparing for this performance. They did a fantastic job!

Weather permitting, you should come check out their last performance tonight - 7:00 at SPASH. Tickets are $5 and the doors open at 6:30.