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Memorial Day weekend is like the start of the bell lap in a long-distance track race. All the hard work that is done over the previous laps helps put the competitors in position for a strong finish. 

For us, that’s June, and Memorial Day signals that that’s just around the corner.

But before we cross the line to begin that final push, there is always the critical matter of our annual budget vote on the third Tuesday in May. A positive outcome solidifies our planning for the new school year to come in September; a negative outcome makes the push to the finish infinitely harder in the current school year.

In the City School District of �Թ���̳, we are so fortunate to be supported by a community that values public education and the importance of our schools to the fabric of our city. For the 18th year in a row, �Թ���̳ voters said “yes” to our budget proposal as well as the other school-related items that were on the ballot Tuesday.

This also was the third year in a row of at least 80% approval, a threshold that this school district never reached prior to 2023. 

Beyond the percentage of voters giving us the thumbs-up, we’re experiencing more residents getting involved in the budget vote as well.

We had more than 700 more voters this year than last, a 28% increase to 3,246. Compared to 2023, turnout was up 55% this year (nearly 1,150 more votes cast). 

With the exception of the 2020 budget vote in the first months of the pandemic, when all voting was done by mail and more than 10,600 ballots were cast, this budget cycle generated our highest voter turnout since 2018. 

Clearly, the early voting option for all that the state made permanent in 2024 is expanding access and opportunities for community members to get involved in this important but often-overlooked slice of our civic duty. We are excited to see that trend and hope it continues in the years to come. 

We have work to do, to be sure, and we accept that responsibility to continue to strive to do better. It is heartening to know that you see the effort and appreciate the direction in which we are moving, even though the outcomes are not yet where we all want them to be for every student.

On behalf of our Board of Education and all of the approximately 1,800 employees who dedicate themselves each day to serving our students and families, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support. To say we could not do this without you is an understatement.

Thank you, �Թ���̳, for supporting our budget for another year. Your vote of confidence is deeply meaningful and so greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the long weekend – and listen for that bell!

Sincerely,

Joseph Hochreiter
Superintendent