Shawn Eichorst, a Lone Rock native and River Valley High School Class of 1986 alumnus, was named the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s director of athletics on July 1, 2026. After extensive experience in college sports administration, he emphasized the importance of relationships and his commitment to education at his introduction on July 7.
The River Valley School District Board of Education approved a 3% wage increase for staff in March and April meetings. However, minutes record overlapping motions suggesting potential raises exceeding this. The district plans to clarify the discrepancies at their June 11 meeting, highlighting concerns over record accuracy and compliance with state law.
The River Valley School Board may have intended to grant fair raises, but its execution is a bureaucratic nightmare. Vague motions and hidden spreadsheets create confusion, leaving taxpayers in the dark. To restore trust, the board must codify compensation in clear policies, ensuring transparency in public finance.
The River Valley School District Board has addressed various policy updates regarding cell phone usage and new course offerings during meetings in January and February. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin State Assembly adjourned without enacting necessary education funding reforms, leading to concerns about rising property taxes and budget pressures on local schools.
The River Valley School Board voted to reduce its workforce, cutting ten positions, including teachers and secretarial roles, due to financial constraints from closing the Early Learning Center. The total annual savings from these cuts amount to over $1 million. The board will also hold a referendum to exceed revenue limits for additional funding.
The River Valley School District Board plans to close the River Valley Early Learning Center due to declining enrollment and costs, saving about $1 million annually. A special meeting scheduled for Jan. 20 will address staff reductions and employment considerations related to this closure. The board is set to finalize an operational referendum at their Jan. 9 meeting.
The River Valley School Fair, created 61 years ago by Lawrence Eberle, continues to thrive, set for September 27 in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Initially aimed at unifying the community post-school consolidation, the fair has expanded significantly, promoting agriculture education and showcasing student talents, while preserving its pioneering spirit and tradition.
Sunshine Week is a time to celebrate government transparency and public service, as well as a time to address lapses in the same. In October 2020, shortly after incorporating and shortly before our first edition, we sent out a Wis. Stat. 19.84(1)(b) written request by email from news media to our local governmental bodies asking that Valley Sentinel be sent meeting notices for the respective governmental bodies. Recently, we sent reminder letters by mail to the local governmental bodies in our immediate coverage area that have not been consistent in sending us meeting notices, with several having sent none at all in the past nearly 2.5 years.
On August 12 the River Valley School Board met, in its last meeting before the school year starts, to discuss masking, new COVID-19 protocols and more, before ultimately stopping short of requiring students and staff to wear masks to start the year.
Ten members of the River Valley High School Class of 2021 wrote essays competing for a cash scholarship awarded by Veterans For Peace Chapter 25. Winner of the essay contest was Anna Deibert.
The River Valley School Board met May 13, welcoming a new member, took up changes to the school fair, the high school year book and elected officers.
Occasionally, when perhaps a devil’s advocate is needed or more circumstances should be considered, we find ourselves at odds with our readers in our very unscientific weekly (okay, okay, it’s semi-regular at best) social media poll. This is one of those occasions.
The River Valley School District Board of Education met April 19 for a special meeting in which federal emergency relief funds and a track resurfacing project were discussed. All eight board members were present, with one vacancy still remaining for Area 4 in the Village of Lone Rock.
The River Valley School Board moved forward and narrowly approved the sale of 120 acres of school forest property in Arena at their March 11 meeting, along with continuing the equity, diversity and inclusion conversation that was started at last month’s meeting.
River Valley School District elementary music students perform in Opera for the Young’s production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s classic opera, Hansel and Gretel. Elementary music teacher Nick Ehlinger taught the music and choreography to all in-person students and all virtual learners in grades 4K-4.
As a River Valley resident since 2003, I have always admired our community for striving to support the common good. Here, actions match values. Whether it’s the community coming together at 4PeteSake, confronting racism when we find it, supporting the arts, or sustaining The River Valley School Fair, we strive to live our values. Most communities do not have the courage or conviction to make these same choices.
For just over a school year and a half, the River Valley School District has been faced with finding ways to provide education through virtual or socially distanced measures. The elementary music program has been no exception to that.
Shane Liegel (River Valley H.S), a sophomore at Loras College and a member of the men’s wrestling team, was honored as a member of the American Rivers Conference 2020-21 Winter Academic Team.
The 51st Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Gymnastics State Championships will take place Saturday, Feb. 27. Junior Lorisa Shatrawka of River Valley/Barneveld will compete at Elite Performance Gymnastics in La Crosse, Wis., under Division 2, which will be hosted by Onalaska High School. Both divisions will be conducted in two sessions. The first is scheduled to begin at noon with the second session to follow at 5 p.m.
The River Valley School Board was asked to reckon with equity, diversity and inclusion issues at its Feb. 11
meeting, as a district parent brought
concerns of racial harassment to the
board, leading to an apology from the school board president and a promise to do more.