Music boosters, student council and donors highlighted; board accepts three community gifts

The River Valley School District board used its community spotlight to recognize the work of music boosters and other volunteers and heard a student council update summarizing recent activities and fundraising.

A board member said the River Valley Music Boosters have raised more than $150,000 over the past 14 years, including roughly $73,000 toward music trips, $30,000 for senior scholarships, about $20,000 for camps and state honors, and over $27,000 in departmental support for uniforms, clinicians and instruments. A boosters representative described major fundraisers (annual ad campaign, calendar raffle, concessions, a cream-puff stand at a local art fair, 50/50 raffles and gift-card/clothing sales) and explained how proceeds are allocated to student accounts and trip subsidies.

Cale Trokenberg, student council president, reported student activities and fundraising: a Halloween boba sale generated about $562 in gross receipts and the student council’s balance after costs is $1,316.87. The student council also previewed events such as the Turkey Bowl on Nov. 26 and school productions and concerts that will appear on the district website.

The board then accepted three gifts by resolution: a $1,000 donation from Gwen and Kenny Mertens to the high school music hall, a donated French horn (valued at more than $200) from Mike and Sarah Monte to the middle school music department, and a large sandbox donation from J and J Total Lawn Care LLC to the elementary school. The roll-call vote recorded seven yes votes, and the motion carried.

Board members thanked volunteers and donors and took a group photograph to recognize booster efforts.