River Falls presents balanced $48.2M budget, approves levy and board salaries amid public allegations

River Falls School District directors presented a proposed 2025–26 budget and the electors approved several routine resolutions after a brief public exchange.

Director of Finance and Facilities Lynette Coy walked through the DPI-formatted budget packet and said the district's total revenue estimate is $48,200,000. She noted that some numbers for the prior year (2024–25) remain unaudited and that certified student counts and state aid will be finalized in October. "Fund balance is assets minus liabilities," Coy explained, noting the general fund showed just over $14,000,000 on the packet day, though roughly $8,000,000 of that was taxes owed to the district at the time presented.

Coy described fund-level details: a $4,600,000 transfer from the general fund (4-34-10) to cover non-reimbursable special education expenses, a special education reimbursement goal set by the 2025–26 state budget of 42% (with prior actual reimbursement nearer 30–31%), and capital projects funding held in fund 49 that includes the $28,000,000 related to referendum-approved projects. She outlined that Fund 27 (special education) cannot end the fiscal year negative, explaining the need for transfers.

During the public comment opportunity, Barry Danielson raised concerns about financial transparency and the district's checkbook registers. Danielson said he has been "interested in the financing of this school district" and asserted discrepancies in account balances and reporting he had calculated from district materials. Meeting officers attempted to enforce a two-minute speaking rule adopted for the session; Danielson disputed the time limit and objected to the restriction.

Board President Stacy Johnson Myers responded that the district had carefully reviewed Danielson's complaints over the prior year, had consulted legal counsel, bond counsel, financial advisors, auditors and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and concluded the district had complied with the law. "The district has nothing to hide and has provided appropriate records in compliance with the law and board policy," Myers said, and the board characterized Danielson's complaints as lacking merit while noting the resource burden of repeated complaints.

Following discussion, electors approved the recommended motions on the agenda by voice vote: a motion to set and approve school board member salaries for 2025–26 (members $3,200 annually; president/clerk/treasurer $3,600), a resolution to set the tax levy for the 2025–26 school year (final certified levy to be set by the board after October state aid and count data), and a resolution allowing the school board to set the 2026 annual meeting date at a later time. The meeting then adjourned.

No formal audit result or enforcement action was announced during the meeting; the board said outside advisors and DPI were consulted in response to the public complaint.