Marshall High junior urges board to prioritize students as cuts threaten staff and sports

Rhea Gergen, a junior at Marshall High School and captain of the varsity gymnastics team, told the Marshall Public School District school board during public comment that students feel ignored and urged the board to prioritize student safety and learning.

"The education and safety of the students should be your main priority," Gergen said. "By cutting teachers, aids, and sports programs, you are lessening the ability to learn to form social interactions and the communication to others." She said teammates depend on gymnastics as their primary athletic outlet and worried younger athletes would lose the opportunity to join other programs.

The comment came during the public forum portion of the board meeting, where speakers are allowed three minutes. Gergen said students and staff have offered ideas to address the district's budget challenges but that their suggestions have not been acted upon.

Superintendent Jeremy acknowledged that the reductions have had a real impact on students, staff and families and said the district and board remain "deeply mindful of the weight that these decisions carry." Jeremy said the reductions are now complete and that the administration sought to examine every option "with a clear sense of responsibility to safeguard the long term stability of our district." He added that district leaders continue to listen to the community.

No formal action followed the public comment. The board did not take votes in response to Gergen's remarks during the meeting; the public comment period closed and the agenda proceeded to scheduled presentations.