School Resource Officer Bryan Jensen shared at the June 15 River Falls Board of Education meeting that this school year was his last in the position.

“I really appreciate everyone’s support here. It means a lot to me. It’s kind of bitter-sweet for sure. I wasn’t really planning on leaving law enforcement at this point and stage in my life, but a job opportunity came up that was too good to pass up,” Jensen said.

Jensen said the school year went well, and that Alex Sather, whose mother works at Westside Elementary, will be taking over the position. Sather was named RFPD’s Officer of the Year in April.

“A very bubbly personality. He’ll be great in this position, too,” Jensen said.

Jensen has been an SRO in the district for eight years, six at the high school and the last two in K-8. Superintendent David Bell said the move to two SROs eight years ago has been a valuable change.

“It works here,” Board Vice President Alan Tuchtenhagen said. “I think we’ve had a model program in the state… My hope is, and trust is, that this will continue.”

Jensen is excited that his family will be remaining in the community despite the change in career paths. He was presented with a Wildcat Pride Award from the district.

Finance and Facilities

The board also approved 2025-26 budget revisions for a “true-up” as the annual budget cycle comes to an end at the end of June. Treasurer Mike Miller said the student count in the district, gas prices and utilities costs are a few of the variables they do not know when making the original budget.

“We’re looking good for the 2026-27 [budget]. The 2027-28 and 2028-29 will be on the next biennium, and so we’ll make some projections based on what we know today,” Miller said. “It looks like the 2028-29 forecast is really where we kind of hit a ledge, where we’re going to hopefully see either some significant increases in our revenues, or we’re going to have to look at ways to reduce our expenses… You don’t know what you’re going to get until the Legislature decides on a budget.”

The board approved a $480,000 bid for roofing repairs and wet insulation at Meyer Middle School. The approved bid was the lowest of five bids by over $80,000.

Other business

Salary increases of 2.77% for administrators and 3.09% for supervisors were approved. Teachers previously received a 3.66% increase, support staff a 4.6% increase and bus drivers 3.49% on average.

Candidate interviews for the vacant school board seat will take place June 22 at an open special meeting. Board members will use a weighted ballot system to select the new member of the board. There will also be a future special board meeting to evaluate bids for a high school parking lot addition.

The board celebrated Rocky Branch Elementary being named a 2026 State School of Character, Westside Elementary being named a State and National School of Character and the district being named a Best Community for Music Education.

“It’s an opportunity to calibrate what it means to be a school that focuses on character education. I think a lot of districts say that, but this process helps really hold us accountable to that work,” Bell said.

The district also received the Focus on Energy Excellence Award for work in energy efficiency.