RIVER FALLS – With Wisconsin’s state budget nearing finalization, River Falls School District Superintendent Jamie Benson discussed the financial future of the district at the June 19 school board meeting.

River Falls School Board members have had to work around the issue of the state per pupil funding to schools based on spending during the 1993-94 school year for decades. River Falls was one of Wisconsin’s lowest spending districts during that school year, and has lost out on funding since.

Benson showed appreciation toward the proposed budget that would increase the low revenue ceiling to $11,000 per pupil.

“We’re appreciative for their recognition that they needed to repair a cliff that was really created by them not providing any school funding over the last biennium,” Benson said.

Benson was not pleased with the potential increase in private school vouchers from $9,000 to $12,000 per pupil, believing it will draw people away from public schools. Benson said this decision makes him feel the government does not think River Falls public school students are as valuable as private school students.

“A little disheartening that our students are worth $11,000, but your voucher kid is worth $12,000,” Benson said. “We’ll still be well, well, well below the average. We’ll be very, very much near the bottom of other districts around the state.”

Benson said the increase will likely not be enough to avoid referendum in February 2024, as the deficit has shrunk, but still exists. Benson said the district will know more about the state’s budget in the next month and will continue to update the community and the board, involving them in the process.

“Geez, if we had another $1,000, $1,500 or more per student, $2,000 more per student, imagine what we could do in terms of programming for our students or reducing our property tax levy,” Clerk Alan Tuchtenhagen said. “Either one, but we can’t do either because we’re at the rock bottom.”

Dishwasher

The board approved the purchase of a $74,826.67 dishwasher from TriMark Marlinn for the high school food service staff. The washer is budgeted for the 2022-23 fiscal year unless it does not arrive in the period, in which case it will be budgeted for the year after.

There were two years of free school meals, allowing River Falls to build up funds. Director of Finance and Facilities Lynette Edwards said the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction wanted these funds to be used rather than sitting in the account.

“Even before my arrival, I don’t know, two years ago they put together a plan for replacement of some of the larger items,” Edwards said. “I think we’ve got one more Greenwood convection oven to replace, and then many of the large pieces of equipment have been replaced and upgraded in the last couple of years.”

Entrance age

The board unanimously approved a policy that changes the process for children entering 4-year-old kindergarten, 5-year-old kindergarten and first grade, before turning the required age. The proposal was first brought to the table during the May school board meeting.

The policy was revised to allow children that turn the required age of the grade level between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1 of the targeted school year to fill out an online request detailing why their child should be accepted. This is in addition to a screener, an interview with the parents or guardians of the child and observation of the child with their peers.

Personnel

The board approved the following personnel changes:

• Kathryn J. Skappel as principal of Greenwood Elementary School effective July 1. She will replace Nate Schurman. Skappel earned her bachelor’s degree from Winona State University and her master’s degree from Saint Mary’s University of MN. She has 15 years of experience (Cottage Grove and Mendota Heights, Minn.)
• Chase Nelson as a physical education teacher Rocky Branch Elementary school effective Aug. 23, replacing Karl Erickson. Nelson earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University and has 12 years of experience (Merrill and Baldwin).
• Blake Buzay as a second grade teacher at Rocky Branch Elementary effective Aug. 23, replacing Katy Huneke. Buzay earned her bachelor’s degree from UW-River Falls.
• Kelley Nelson as a math teacher at Meyer Middle School effective Aug. 23, replacing Doug Steinbronn. Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree from UW-Platteville.
• Erin Desvousges as a library media specialist at Greenwood Elementary effective Aug. 23, replacing Judy LeFeber. Desvousges earned her bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire and has one year of experience in New Richmond.
• Megan Thoennes as a math teacher at River Falls High School effective Aug. 23, replacing Lance Westberg. Thoennes earned her bachelor’s degree from UW-River Falls.
• Lauren Johnson as a fifth grade teacher at Westside Elementary effective Aug. 23, replacing Andy Keiser. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire and has one year of experience in Plum City.
• Transfer of Zachary Campbell from physical education teacher to student support teacher at RFHS effective Aug. 28.
• Transfer of Nathan Wells from principal at River Falls Public Montessori Elementary to fourth grade teacher at Rocky Branch Elementary, effective Aug. 28. He replaces Emma Gray.
• Transfer of Courtney Menter from general education paraprofessional to limited term first grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary, effective Aug. 23, for Kayla Hines.
• Acceptance of reduced employment for Greenwood Elementary school psychologist Andrea Ganske, from 1.0 FTE to .9 FTE effective Aug. 28.
• Acceptance of increased employment for district physical therapist Mikayla Sanocki from .8 FTE to .9 FTE effective Aug. 28.
• Resignation of Claire Stokes as RFHS English teacher, effective at end of 2022-23 year.
• Resignation of RFHS business education teacher Kris Thompson, effective at end of 2022-23 year.
• Resignation of Katy Huneke as second grade teacher at Rocky Branch Elementary, effective at end of 2022-23 year.
• Resignation of Rocky Branch special education teacher Patricia Kemper, effective at end of 2022-23 year.