This has been a year of success and celebrations. With covid in the rearview mirror, we welcomed the smiling faces of our students and staff and embraced the ability to engage in the routines that serve all students in the most meaningful and productive manner. As we round out the school year, we’d like to share some reflections on this past school year. 

5-year strategic plan: In the summer of 2022 the school board approved a new strategic plan, developed in partnership with parents and the community, and through leadership of the River Falls School Board, administration, and staff. As we work towards our goals in this 5-year plan, building leaders provided monthly updates at school board meetings to specifically provide strategic plan progress reports to the community and Board.

Enrollment Projection: We contracted with an independent firm to provide the district with an enrollment projection for the next decade. A Community Growth and Projections Report, completed in January 2023, provides valuable demographics - information that will help guide us as we plan for staffing, budget, and facility needs in the future.

School Funding Realities: Wisconsin’s current funding method, established in 1993, is outdated and not able to meet the financial needs of our district today. The antiquated funding formula reveals the School District of River Falls ranks 418 of 421 in the state for per–pupil revenue ($10,046/pupil vs. state average of $11,700/pupil). 

In addition, Wisconsin districts only receive 30 cents reimbursement for every dollar spent on special education expenses. This small reimbursement requires us to transfer funds away from other programs and services. This year alone we transferred $3.9M from our general budget to provide these much needed services. 

We are also facing what’s called a “financial cliff” - a loss in base revenue created when legislature provided zero per-pupil funding in the 2021-23 state biennial session. Districts were required to cover their ongoing inflationary expenses with one-time federal funds, a formula that is not sustainable.  

Currently our district financial forecast reveals a 2024-25 deficit which requires us to engage the community in transparent communication about the need for a February 2024 referendum. Moving forward, we will host opportunities for our community to increase their understanding of the “why” behind these financial circumstances and the details of our forthcoming referendum. 

Please consider reaching out to your legislator to advocate for improvements to school funding with per-pupil funds for districts falling under the average; increases to special education funding; and repairing the financial cliff. Find your Legislator

Finally, congratulations to the Class of 2023. Your hard work has paid off. As a class, you persevered, supported each other, and overcame many obstacles we tackled together over the past few years. We’re very proud of you and all you’ve accomplished, and even more excited for you to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future. Dream big, work hard, make a difference. All the best to the Class of 2023!

Jamie Benson 

Superintendent | jamie.benson@rfsd.k12.wi.us 

715-425-1800

Sunday, June 4, was graduation day for the Class of 2023. Members of the school board were honored to present diplomas and shake graduates’ hands. Graduation is a celebratory day not only for graduates and their families, but for teachers, staff, administrators and the entire River Falls community who rejoice in our students’ accomplishments and eagerly await their next steps into the world (and adventure!) of adulthood. Thank you to teachers, staff, and administrators whose continuing dedication to public education supported our students as they traveled through elementary school, middle school, and high school.

While graduation is the high point of the end of the school year, the school board’s work continues throughout the summer months. Here are some highlights of what we will work on in the coming months:

• New curriculum review cycle: This review cycle allows teachers and administrators to systematically determine learning goals (what we want students to learn), instructional practices and learning experiences (resources and strategies to help them learn), and assessment tools (how we know what they’ve learned)—the key components of curriculum in a school district. The review cycle will ensure our curriculum meets the needs of students and reflects the district’s educational goals and academic standards, and ensures our curriculum is a continual review process.
• Policy review: The school board is dedicated to policy governance. Policy governance requires the school board to set policies that the administration implements. To ensure policies are in keeping with broad community values, meet the district’s goals, and comply with best practices and legal statutes, the school board regularly review policies. This summer we will focus on policies related to curriculum, supporting students, and community engagement.
• Project Oversight Committee: For over a year, the school board has been gathering information regarding projected enrollment, building capacity and program needs, and needed maintenance to keep our schools safe and ready for learning. The board hired both an architectural firm and construction management firm to provide a detailed accounting of needs for every district building. The board appointed the Project Oversight Committee and directed it to determine key priorities from a long list of needs. The school board will correlate this list with our perception of the community’s tax tolerance, and will present a plan to the community ahead of an anticipated referendum in February, 2024. 

The school board is extremely fortunate to have highly competent administrators who work closely with the board to enable the board to complete its work. The board is eager to be transparent and hold on to the community’s trust. Regular board and committee meetings are publicly posted open to the public. Please join us!

On behalf of the school board, we hope you all have a restful, renewing summer.

Stacy Johnson Myers

School Board President