To the editor,

The River Falls school district gets high marks from Wisconsin for student academic performance, and co-curricular activities such as band, musical theater, and sports clearly benefit both students and the community.

What the RFSD does not have is adequate funding from the state’s outdated formula; currently the district is receiving only the state-mandated minimum per-pupil funding, and that is why leadership has decided that River Falls must join the 80% of districts in Wisconsin that have gone to the community for supplementary funding.

We see growth in our community, and our good schools are no doubt a factor in businesses and people wanting to locate here. Even if enrollment does not grow, there are many fixed costs of operating our schools that Question 1 addresses. Whether a school serves 200 or 300 students, it has a roof and a furnace that must be maintained, for example. The operational needs are real, and as buildings and equipment age the maintenance needs will grow.

The facilities question (#2) has my support as well. The first item will update building security and therefore, enhance student and staff safety, the transportation center improves an outdated bus garage, and the indoor multi-purpose space will address some long-recognized needs for student activities. All deserve our support.

Rick Wilson

River Falls