RIVER FALLS — The River Falls Board of Education heard from a district resident about a unique tax situation that caused the board to change district borders and moved an addition to the school farm forward at the Feb. 17 meeting.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding that allows River Falls FFA to access a seasonal water system on the 40-acre school farm at 595 Dry Run Road.

“[River Falls FFA Alumni] Association is in the process of infrastructure improvements of a seasonal watering system to the School Farm,” the memorandum states. “Association desires to install a pipe and hydrant, which the Association would drain in the Fall to prevent freezing, for the purpose of improving the usability of the garden area and the School Farm.”

There is no cost to the district in this project, as the FFA will pay for installation, maintenance and utilities.

District Borders

Lowell Enerson presented a petition for the detachment of two parcels of his property from the district. The two parcels contain their lawn and pasture, making up about five acres in the Town of Troy. Enerson said he purchased the property in 2013 and receives three different tax statements. After years of searching for answers, Enerson was told the reason for receiving three statements was that the property is located on the line of two school districts, Hudson and River Falls.

Enerson thanked Superintendent David Bell and former Superintendent Jamie Benson as well as Director of Finance and Facilities Lynette Coy for their help through the process.

Finance and Facilities Chair Mike Miller said this has happened in the past, with the requests often being declined. He said this is a more unique case than usual.

The property in River Falls includes the driveway, but the house and property value associated with it is in the Hudson district.

“In this instance, I think it makes all the sense in the world to be neighborly and be good neighbors and transfer this property over to the Hudson district,” Miller said.

The motion was approved unanimously. President Stacy Johnson Myers said this is not a precedent-setting decision as it was a one-of-a-kind type of situation.

Superintendent Report

Bell gave his third of four presentations discussing his transition into the role at River Falls, including 30-day, 90-day, 180-day and 360-day targets. He presented on governance, student success, organizational alignment and communication/engagement.

One thing administration and the school boardput a major focus on as Bell got started was policy review. In the 180 days, 28 100 series policies were updated and six more made it through the second reading Feb. 17. The district is on track to complete the 100 series of policy reviews at the end of April and the 200 series July 1. Overall, 72 policies were updated, adopted or in-process from 2024-25.

Public comment

City of River Falls resident Jackie Niccum spoke on the primary for the state superintendent of schools that took place the day after the meeting. Niccum said Gov. Tony Evers criticized the changes to testing standards made under incumbent Jill Underly’s time as superintendent. Niccum said that should be kept in mind when people vote in the primary.

Niccum also discussed property taxes, criticizing the “use it or lose it mentality” in terms of school funding, saying people are being priced out of their homes.

“This year, my St. Croix County taxes went up 2.8%, the City of River Falls went up 9%, the School District of River Falls went up 16.5% and Chippewa Valley Tech 8.1%,” Niccum said. “How long can this go on and people that are on fixed incomes can stay in their homes. My taxes went up $552. How many years can I afford to do that.”

Niccum said Benson was smart to have the district’s 2024 referendum vote in February where there would be a lower voter turnout than in April or November, so school staff would make up a larger percentage of voters.

Jamie Johnson, who is running for St. Croix County judge, addressed the board during public comment. Johnson is from Hudson and has been a lawyer for almost 35 years, spending 12 years on the Hudson School Board with 11 of those years as president. He said his life experiences give him preparation for “making tough decisions.”

Other business

• Approved the school calendar for 2026-27 with the first day on Sept. 1 and the last day on June 4.
• Approved phase one of the district’s 2025-26 staffing plan, laying out the current needs of the district at each school.
• Heard a presentation on the elementary’s Wildly Important Goal of having 100% of students be proficient or exceed their yearly growth goal in foundational reading skills as measured by the grade level screening assessment by Spring 2027.
• Heard a presentation on communications and community education, showcasing social media growth and community education opportunities from recent months. The district offers 98 community education classes, up from 72 a year ago.
• Continued the process of mass policy review.