BRFSD Leadership violates State Statute and DPI Policy, and majority of the board allowed it to happen.
The district misled the community, parents, staff, and board of education that school started August 27, 2024.
What the law states
Do not allow instructional days to be held before September 1
Cannot count towards summer school
Cannot count attendance
What BRFSD Did
Held class & instructional days before September 1
Counted days as summer school
Counted attendance
Told students who were absent that they could not participate in their fall sport
February 2024 School Board Meeting
Shelly assured everyone that this is ok and "everyone" is doing it.
Voicemail Recording from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Stating that it is NOT ok
The Facts
Violation of Wisconsin State Statute
118.045 Commencement of school term.
Except as provided in subs. (2) and (3), beginning in the year 2000, no public school may commence the school term until September 1.
Subsection (1) does not prohibit a school board from doing any of the following:
(a) Holding athletic contests or practices before September 1.
(b) Scheduling in-service days or work days before September 1.
(c) Holding school year-round.
A school board may commence the school term before September 1 in any school year if the school board requests the department to allow it to commence the school term before September 1 and the school board includes reasons with its request. The department may grant a request only if it determines that there are extraordinary reasons for granting it. The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this subsection.
The School District of Black River Falls has been in violation of this statute.
The district misled the community, parents, staff, and board of education that school started August 27, 2024. Even the local newspaper reported on the First Day of School.
On Wednesday, August 28th, JC4E made parents aware that these dates do not count. Some parents reached out to the high school to take their child out on Thursday, August 29 and were told a different story.
Parent Statement
Statement from a parent who wishes to remain anonymous, due to the possibility that the district would take it out on their child.
“On 8/28 I called the BRFHS talked to the attendance secretary and asked her if this week of was optional and considered summer school, because I was told that it was optional and she told me no that she was taking attendance right now. She also said that they need to know who is at school if they are in sports, I said so you are holding it against them if they don't come, she said yes. So if my kid didn't show up then she would not be able to practice their sport after school.”
Run the Numbers
The proposed school budget for 2024/2025 is $28 million, which breaks down to about $155,556 per day across 180 days. This is the average daily cost to run the schools. Starting three days earlier that can't count as instructional or summer school days costs the district $466,666.67. This situation has led to confusion regarding expenses and the funding for the school year with these three days and where the money will come from to pay for these days since state statute was violated. The DPI is looking into this matter.
In Conclusion.
If you thought August 27th was the first day of school, you are not the only person.
The district misled many parents, students, and staff. If you would like to submit a formal complaint about this, please click on the link below.