To the editor,

I have three students in the RFSD and am doing my best to read and research all the material being distributed regarding the proposed RFSD referendum. I firmly believe that a vast majority of our schoolteachers do a fine job and are committed to our students. Most people have a story about a teacher that made a positive impact or difference in their life. The recent LTE from Rebecca Ferguson suggests an attack on public education. This is likely because legitimate and serious questions are being raised about a survey RFSD put out seeking what could be over $30 million in the proposed budget and facilities referendums. 

Let’s be clear, the questions brewing locally after the survey for so much money are NOT an attack on public education or our teachers, but rather simply questioning the RFSD administration that seems to have no sense or commitment to wise financial management of taxpayer funds. The writer conveniently left out some important information and details taxpayers in River Falls should carefully consider before signing up $30+ million in new taxpayer money which appears to be in perpetuity with no end in sight.

The RFSD has claimed to be underfunded for some time. Yet, we saw recently they had nearly $1 million of “excess” money that they seemingly donated to a private developer to construct a new REN school. They claim it is a lease, not a new build. Ok, then why donate $1 million to a private developer and then pay full market rental rates? Why is the district paying the property taxes on this? Shouldn’t the current owner? Could you not have put that money to use in the classroom? What about teacher raises? I think our teachers work hard, long hours and need higher compensation. Where did the RFSD get that extra money if things are so tight budget-wise?

Ms. Ferguson suggests that private education students get more than public. In my opinion and research, that’s a very misleading assumption. The legislature approved $1,000 more for choice and charter school in base per pupil funding. For those schools, that is all they get. For public schools, they get federal money and property tax money. Be assured, public schools are getting far more aid per pupil than choice or charter schools. Do the children that benefit from choice and charter schools not matter? They too should have access to education that works for them. Shouldn’t it be about the child’s educational outcome and not a specific institution that says the only way is public education?

I think I can safely speak for all parents and residents of RFSD: We all desire for our children to be educated and well-rounded through a quality, well-funded education system that equips our students for the future. We all value our teachers and want them to have the tools, training and compensation they deserve to do the best job they can. When the school administration distributes a survey to the community that suggests $4 million for a new football field, which is not included in the actual proposed facilities referendum because the community did not favor this. It does include $4 million for the bus garage which the community does favor, Why are they asking for close to $29 million? Is this to pay off a school they discretely constructed? Accountability is the bottom line. Questioning those proposed decisions is not an attack on public education, rather it is an example of responsibly asking legitimate questions of an administration that appears to be frivolous, or at the very least out of touch with the importance of, your taxpayer money.

Pierce County is considering a new administrative building adjacent to the current County Jail to the tune of $29 million. Both Pierce and St Croix County property taxes continue to rise at an unprecedented rate. When is enough actually enough? I believe it is when those we elect use the money that is entrusted to them in a prudent fashion with absolute transparency so that the basic educational goals of our school district can be accomplished.

Martin Kretzmann

River Falls