RIVER FALLS — The River Falls School Board dealt with proposed updates to the public comment policy April 21, eventually opting to bring it back for a first reading with revisions at the next meeting.

The board discussed whether or not they should limit public comment topics to agenda items only. Ultimately, as part of the proposed policy, anything that involves the district may be discussed.

“In our practice, we feel like there’s two pieces with public participation,” Superintendent David Bell said. “One is to speak on an agenda topic. The other might be to bring something up.”

The board also mentioned potentially opening public comment to people beyond district parents and residents, but Bell expressed some concerns of allowing people from completely outside the district to speak on political beliefs on either side. Under the current policy this was not the case, but the recommended update is to limit who speaks.

“[Political public comments] which I think we should very intently listen to for our stakeholders, but I do get concerned about it becoming something that it’s not designed to do which is to inform the work of the board,” Bell said.

Board President Stacy Johnson Myers said this would not mean people from outside the district cannot speak at the meetings whatsoever, as they can become part of the agenda if there is a reason for it. Vice President Alan Tuchtenhagen said politicizing a non-partisan group is a worry; however, he would approve of already elected officials representing River Falls to come in and address the board.

“I’m worried about candidates coming and making statements in front of the board,” Tuchtenhagen said.

Another member disagreed, feeling candidates should be allowed to introduce themselves to see what issues are facing the district.

Other proposals from the policy included the total public comment window being limited to 30 minutes unless the board approves an extension, no one being allowed to speak more than once and allowing the presiding officer to have some power of keeping decorum and waiving rules when necessary. During the meeting the board opted to strike the 30-minute limit.

Board members ultimately decided to review the policy again to clarify some of the questions and debates surrounding it. Clarifying that staff members living outside the district can address the board as well as grandparents to students were a few points mentioned.

Bell said the approval of the proposed policy was recommended by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, and he plans to help design what exactly the policy will look like in the coming month. Due to the number of changes they are looking at, the policy will return for a first reading.

Other business

• Meal prices for the 2025-26 school year were approved with a handful of increases. Elementary breakfast was increased by $0.10 to $1.80 and increased at the MS/HS level by $0.05 to $1.90. Lunch was increased at all levels by $0.10, moving to $2.95 for the elementary and $3.25 for MS/HS. Adult breakfast and lunch were increased by $0.05 each, moving to $3.05 and $4.85. The milk price remained the same at $0.55. Each of the prices had increased (except for milk) at least once prior to the April 21 approval since the 2022-23 school year.
• The board reviewed election results from the April election. Incumbents Lindsey Curtis and Mike Miller were the lone two candidates running and both retained their seats. Curtis received 6,329 votes, Miller 6,288 votes and write-ins received 181 votes.
• Approved the sending of letters of intent to retain staff and letters of nonrenewal.