River Ridge seeks long-range input
By Correne Martin
“Whether you voted for the (April facility) referendum or against it, we want to hear from you.”
That was the notion expressed by River Ridge District Administrator Jeff Athey, who addressed more than 30 district residents attending the public long-range planning session Tuesday morning at Ma’s Bakery in Bloomington.
The gathering was the third of five public meetings scheduled between Dec. 2 and Dec. 10 at various community gathering facilities around the district. No major discussion took place, though attendees were asked to anonymously write down their opinions about certain aspects where possible improvement may be necessary, including academics, facilities, communication, extracurricular activities, and more.
They could also sign up to be part of sub-committees in these areas.
The final two public input sessions will be Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., in the Patch Grove multi-purpose room at 7 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 10, at 8 a.m., at the Bagley Hotel. All are welcome.
“If you can’t attend, call and have us send you the paper,” Athey said. “We want to know what you think we should consider in long-range planning. Come up with some goals and recommendations.”
Once all input is gathered and finalized by the end of the year, Athey said, beginning the first week in January, it will be compiled, typed and displayed for public viewing at places such as the district website (www.rrsd.k12.wi.us), gas stations, restaurants, taverns, post offices, etc. In February, recommendations based on the community input will be presented to the school board. Athey hopes this will occur at the Feb. 10 board meeting.
“The school board may or may not follow through on your ideas but at least they shouldn’t make significant decisions before taking a look at these recommendations,” Athey noted. He also pointed out that, by having the community’s suggestions on paper and categorized by the most prevalent opinions, it may encourage more board accountability.
“What it comes down to is, ‘Why are our kids open enrolling out of our district?’” Athey urged. “We need to do something about that.”
An April 2015 facility referendum in the River Ridge School District—which proposed $9.9 million to create one PreK-12 campus at the Patch Grove site and take care of additions, remodeling and health and security improvements—fell short of passing. Fifty-two percent of the district’s residents voted against the referendum, but the difference was much narrower (63 votes) than a $13 million November 2014 referendum that was denied by 64 percent of the constituents.
Three seats on the school board will be up for re-election in the spring. Athey said, at this time, he has been informed Leah Breuer will not re-run for her seat, while Kerri Schier plans to seek re-election and Randy Martin’s plans have not been provided.
