RGSD Together for a Stronger Future Community Meeting (Aug. 26 at Westview Middle)

The RGSD (Riverview Gardens School District) community meeting on Aug. 26, 2026, focused on the district’s budget outlook, academic progress, and community priorities. The superintendent reported that a deficit initially estimated at $23 million had been reduced to about $14 million, with a further reduction projected. Transportation was a major cost: the district pays approximately $2 million under its contract with First Student and spends about another $2 million on transportation for students in transition, with neither amount fully reimbursed. Participants suggested reviewing and consolidating bus routes; the district also cited roughly $600,000 in savings after changing a transportation-related arrangement. No contract award or formal spending vote was reported.

The district discussed staffing reductions, a hiring freeze, and school consolidation. Danforth was selected for closure in part because of its capacity of about 280 students, accessibility limitations, and costly repairs; bringing the building up to standard was estimated to cost more than $5 million. The district said it would continue reducing administrative costs, consider facility and transportation consolidation, and pursue local revenue, grants, and donations or endowments from organizations. Community members used priority tokens to indicate which programs and services they would protect, and the district said it would compile feedback for presentation at the Sept. 8 board meeting. These were community input activities, not formal votes.