Black River Newsletter

What's new:

Curriculum/Instruction

- New Curriculum for ELA - K-5 "Wonders" (BR has not adopted an ELA Curriculum in sometime. Early Literacy is a focus for us and this was an investment we believe in.)

- New Library Elective K- 5 (efforts to increase literacy)

- New Middle School Music teacher and Choir option for BRHS

What are we working on?

- We are working on RTI (response to intervention)

RTI relates to how we are servicing our students and meeting their needs. This process involves student data review and making curricular and staffing adjustments based on information gathered through data.

What's new:

- The three high school locker rooms have all been updated. Our lockers were rusted, the paint was old and it was not an acceptable space for our student athletes.

- Thanks to Coach Nader and some incredible volunteers, Softball has a beautiful new batting cage. Athletes have been hitting and pitching in the cage all Summer!

- The Transportation office and breakroom is now housed within the BREC. This new space features a restroom, seating area, kitchenette and area for meetings. This provides our Director and drivers with a clean, comfortable facility to meet and work.

What are we working on?

- The BREC playground is original to the 1996 BREC. We need to upgrade this and are hopeful for an install of Spring 2026.

- The track and football field are both being assessed for improvements. In August we Board approved the use of Bricker Graydon specifically for this project. We are currently analyzing needs and costs.

- Mrs. Aviles has secured grant money from the Black River Endowment Fund to rehab the High School lobby.

- Continuing work related to HVAC throughout the District.

- We continue to explore ways to better manage our grounds. (mowing, beds, mulching etc)

- As presented at the board meeting, the district anticipates savings over $1 Million during the 2025-2026 school year based on the staffing changes made in 24/25. This included absorbing several certified and classified positions through retirement and resignation. These savings created an avenue for the district to waive class fees, athletic admission fees for students and pay to participate fees, as well as provide salary increases for many of our staff members. Administration has also been reduced as the District no longer employs an Assistant Principal, a full time AD, and the administrative cost associated with a PR firm that had been used in previous years.

"Right size our staff, increase compensation and enhance the student experience"

Our enrollment, like many school districts in the State, has decreased over the last several years. Our staffing had not been thoroughly adjusted to reflect the changes in enrollment over the last couple of decades. We had many staff members leave through retirement and resignation. When this occurs we do a staff analysis to see if we can absorb the position internally.

What have these savings helped accomplish?

1. No more pay to participate fees, student fees and students no longer have to pay to get into home games.

2. A new three year contract with BRESPA (support staff of BR) with raises.

3. A raise for teachers of 4.687% for the 26/27 school year

4. Administrative raises

Mr. Kuehnle has done a tremendous amount of work related to our accounting, forecasting and needs analysis. This work has allowed us to set financial priorities throughout the District.