As we prepare for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the School District of Black River Falls continues its commitment to maintaining safe, functional, and welcoming learning environments under the Finance and Facility pillar of the SDBRF Strategic Plan for our students, staff, and community.
While new construction projects often receive the most attention, ongoing capital maintenance is one of the most important investments a district can make.
Capital maintenance projects help preserve the life of our facilities, improve safety and security, reduce long-term repair costs, and ensure our buildings continue serving students efficiently. In our recent community survey, we asked if we should delay some of our capital maintenance and overwhelmingly the community reinforced that timely maintenance is necessary and a priority.
For the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year, some of the major capital maintenance projects at the High School include resurfacing the West Gym floor, complete with line markings for Adaptive Sports League practice and competitions, and re-keying internal doors to create a more universal and secure keying system rather than having multiple different keys for multiple doors.
At the Middle School, projects to be completed include replacing the panel on the fire alarm system and servicing the dust collector system in the Tech Ed. Lab. Additionally, the original 1992 cafeteria tables will be replaced with new models featuring attached seating, allowing custodians to clean the floors more efficiently after lunch periods.
Forrest Street Elementary will see improvements to the playground area with resurfacing of asphalt and improving drainage that spills onto the asphalt from the roof creating a slippery play area for students in the winter. Additionally, drain tile will be added to the front of the building to eliminate excess moisture away from the building.
Red Creek Elementary is our newest building and requires the least amount of maintenance. However, we will continue the yearly cycle to replace flooring in two classrooms for proper upkeep. Walk-off carpet in the south wing of the building will also be installed over the summer.
These projects may not always be highly visible, but each plays an important role in student safety and operational efficiency.
The district also completed several important capital maintenance projects during the 2025-2026 school year, including:
Replacing seating in the LGI room at the Middle School
Installing privacy blinds at Forrest Street Elementary
Replacing asphalt on Diploma Drive between the Middle School and High School
Seal coating the Middle School playground and bus garage areas
Maintaining district facilities is about more than simply repairing buildings or updating furniture. Well-maintained schools promote community pride, enhance security, and protect the community’s long-term investment in schools. Preventive maintenance also helps the district budget more responsibly by extending the lifespan of equipment and infrastructure before emergency replacement becomes necessary.
As always, the district remains committed to balancing fiscal responsibility with providing students and staff safe, high-quality educational spaces. We appreciate the continued support of our community as we work to care for facilities that serve generations of Tigers.