River Falls elementary leaders told the school board that fall AIMSwebPlus screening returned high percentile results for many grades after a national renorming, but cautioned the board the results are not directly comparable to prior years. Administrators said they are keeping interventions in place, increasing progress monitoring and expanding A
The board heard revisions to Policy 870 that limit direct appeals to the board to complaints about board members or the board as a whole and give the board sole discretion to decide whether to review direct complaints; appeals must be submitted within 10 working days after superintendent denial.
Superintendent David presented a revised strategic-plan scorecard refining targets for academic growth, employee metrics and engagement; he said Act 20 prompted a move to a single K–5 reading screener and some special-education tracking will resume in later years.
Finance and facilities committee reported near-complete transportation center, new high-school multipurpose addition and tennis courts, infrastructure upgrades at Meyer Middle School and elementary security improvements; open house scheduled Nov. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The board approved a consent agenda including minutes, bills and employment items and voted to advance first readings of a NEOLA policy package (policies 1–17) after an ad hoc committee reviewed clarifying language and renumbering across many policies.
Directors presented a proposed $48.2 million 2025–26 budget, including a $4.6M transfer to special education and $28M in referendum funds for capital projects; electors approved board salaries, the tax levy and a resolution allowing the board to set next year's meeting date while a public commenter alleged opacity in district finances.
Superintendent David Bell summarized the district's strategic plan through 2027, noted academic gains including a top-17% ranking, detailed student opportunities and staff investments, and gave timelines for the transportation center and high school additions.
The River Falls board approved a virtual-program student handbook, approved an updated general-education paraprofessional job description, and gave second reading approval to a revised student attendance policy after discussion about athletic eligibility and documentation procedures.
The River Falls School District approved multiple interdistrict agreements: a cost-share for a 4K paraprofessional with University of Wisconsin–River Falls, a shared deaf-and-hard-of-hearing teacher arrangement with Prescott and Ellsworth (15%/15%/70% split), and Project SEARCH agreements with neighboring districts for internship placements.
The River Falls School District board voted to approve a preliminary 2025–26 budget for publication and the annual meeting/budget hearing on Sept. 22. Finance staff said local tax revenue rises $2.2 million and special education reimbursement is budgeted to increase by about $700,000.
