Pine River Area Schools

Livestream Uplift Students Parents Staff Employment Bond Enroll Now Parent Guidance

Dear Pine River Area Schools Families,

As we begin the 2024-25 school year, I do so with gratitude for the incredible welcome I’ve been given over the last year. The kindness from staff and students has been wonderful. Their dedication to our school district and each other has been inspiring. Educating our children is one of the MOST important tasks we must do well in life and our employees are giving it their all.

Every school district faces challenges, and we are no exception. In the coming year, we will continue to keep a sharp eye on our district budget. Enrollment for 2024-25 is holding steady so that's great. But we have $1,000,000 less in funding due to the expiration of ESSER (Covid) funding and unfortunately, the State of Michigan did not give an increase in the foundation allowance this year, which is the money we use to pay for all of our expenses. Thankfully, our bond proposal was approved and keeps our community's tax rate the same. So, we're working through the steps to receive the bond funds and then will move ahead with replacing our septic system as early as we can in 2025. THANK YOU PINE RIVER COMMUNITY for approving these very important bond funds! Bond proposals that keep the tax rate the same are such a great way to make the major improvements that we need without costing our community more. THANK YOU!

Parents and community members, we need you. We need you to volunteer to support our students through Booster Club activities such as concession stand workers or ticket takers, we need parents on Parent Group Committees, we need parents or community members to serve in paid positions as substitute teachers or support staff subs (food service, paraprofessionals, custodians, bus drivers). If you can help in any of these ways, please reach out to our schools. We’re doing great work here at PRAS and we can’t do it without your support.

Please feel free to reach out to me anytime. I would love to meet and chat with you. We're looking forward to a fabulous 2024-25 school year here at Pine River Area Schools. Thank you for your support. Go BUCKS!

Sincerely,

Michelle Gill