To the editor,

I support the Feb. 20 River Falls School District Operational Referendum.

The River Falls School District is well-run and serves the community extremely well. Public education works in River Falls! It is not too much to that note the community rates the schools with high satisfaction rankings whenever surveys are conducted.

The need for an operational funding referendum is the result of archaic revenue caps established by the state in l992. This continues to put our per student funding near the bottom of the list for the entire state, much lower than that of our neighbors. It does not reflect frivolous, ill-conceived spending on the part of the district.

Additional operating funds are needed to maintain the very programs which make our district special. Like other districts in the state, the operational budget referendum is presented to compensate for the loss of revenues compounded by increases in the cost of goods and services. It is not for fluff but for updates, safety and appropriate educational settings.

We need to keep public education strong and relevant in our community. The referendum will help in this effort. I urge your support.

Lorraine Davis

River Falls