Dear editor,

The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI) would like to express its support for the Marshfield School District’s four-year, $12 million nonrecurring operational referendum, which would provide override funding to maintain quality educational programs. The MACCI board of directors made this decision after meeting with the superintendent of schools and director of business services and carefully examining the data related to the school district.

In today’s business environment, in which businesses find it difficult to acquire a sufficient workforce, maintaining an excellent educational system is vital for attracting highly experienced professionals to existing businesses as well as being a key component to recruiting new businesses to Marshfield.

MACCI appreciates that the Marshfield School District has earned a statewide reputation for excellence including the school district’s college and career readiness programming. Programming that provides quality work-based learning programs, relevant academic skills, and the employability skills and workforce behaviors necessary for postsecondary success and careers are needed by today’s business community.

Always mindful of the potential negative impact of a tax increase on the local economy, we believe approval of the referendum is in the best interests of our business community. Our community must maintain reasonable taxation levels to stimulate economic development and retain existing industry. We would hope that the district will continue to exhaust every possible option in dealing with future budget concerns before considering additional support from the taxpayers.

In conclusion, we believe support for this referendum will strike a balance between fiscal prudence and the maintenance of a quality educational system, which together will provide a strong business climate and an inviting community.

Sincerely,

MACCI Executive Director Scott Larson and MACCI President Patricia Wesenberg