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Community Members,
The School District of River Falls (SDRF) is presenting two referendum questions to the community on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Below are a few related Q+A details:
Questions + Answers
Q#1: What will result from the outcome of the “operational” referendum question?
If it passes, the district will preserve existing services, programs, and resources while continuing to be good stewards of the community's investment in public education.
If it fails, the district will reduce expenses moving forward. With 77% of district expenses tied to staff compensation, cuts would likely include a reduction in programming, services, and staff; increased class sizes; a freeze or reduction of the purchases of textbooks; the deferral of technology projects; compensation limitations; and the consideration of other budget reductions.
Q#2: What will result from the outcome of the “Bond (facility)” referendum question?
If this question passes, we are able to add all the desired safety and security upgrades, add the multi-purpose space, and upgrade the bus garage. If it fails the district will still try to prioritize some safety improvements with limited dollars; we will defer maintenance improvements to our 50+ year-old buildings (repairs will be completed at a later date - and at higher costs); and we will have less space flexibility for our youth, community, and school-based co-curricular programs.
Q#3: Why didn’t the district either ask three questions or combine everything into one question?
By law, there must be two separate questions – “operational” must be separate from “facility” – questions cannot be combined into one. Also, by law, no more than two total referendum questions can be asked over a 12-month period. Citizens will be asked to vote on each of the two questions.
Q#4: When is the vote?
In-person voting is on Tuesday, February 20th.
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