RIVER FALLS — River Falls Superintendent David Bell spoke on the results the district has had with increasing attendance and decreasing chronic absenteeism at the March school board meeting.

“The theme here is really zeroing in or focusing on strengthening student attendance,” Bell said. “The first part of this is to identify that it’s a line to our strategic plan. We have goals to hold high expectations for student learning, obviously attendance plays a role in that. We also have goals around providing a safe and welcoming and healthy school environment, and obviously, we have attendance issues if we don’t have those things in place.”

Bell put the focus on chronic absenteeism rather than individual absences. Chronic absenteeism is defined by the district as students missing at least 10% of school days. The goal is for River Falls to go from 8.32% to 3% of students being chronically absent by 2026-27.

“Simple things like sharing calendars and schedules in advance,” Bell said. “Getting that information out and public as soon as possible so families can schedule important events.”

Bell said a key to reducing chronic absenteeism is prioritizing the partnership between the district and families. The high school leads the district in chronic absenteeism, which Bell said the school is leaning on targeted student support to get students back to the school.

District attendance is at 95.2% this year, and Bell said targeted support has made a positive impact. Targeted support focuses on freshman transition students, mental health interventions and professional development for school staff.

School Board Assessment

The school board assessed itself through a questionnaire, with members answering that the board achieved or mostly achieved in each category.

“When we are looking at these, these issues are not things that can be fully achieved,” President Stacy Johnson Myers said. “They are always, by nature, going to be in process. So, I think when we look at it from that standpoint, I’m really proud of the fact that we have so many that are red [mostly achieved] and blue [fully achieved].”

Board members felt the district has a strong culture and were pleased with how the board has worked as one cohesive unit with administration.

Administrators also participated in the evaluation of the board.

Other Business

• The School District of River Falls received an “unmodified opinion,” after their audit, the highest level a district can have. The board also looked over the 2024 financial statements. Baker Tilley submitted a bid and was selected for the 2024-25 district audit.
• During the pandemic, the board passed an emergency policy that suspended some board procedures allowing for decisions to be made immediately when necessary. That policy was pulled during the March meeting as there is no longer a need.
• Approved the CESA 11 shared services contract for the 2025-26 school year.
• Insurance costs for the 2025-26 school year are expected to rise by 12% according to an update from the Personnel Committee. The district is receiving high numbers of applications for open staffing spots.
• Activities Director David Crail was authorized by the board to act on their behalf regarding the WIAA’s proposal on name, image and likeness for student athletes.