08/21/2026
Dear Pine River Area Schools Families,
As we begin the 2026-27 school year, I do so with gratitude for our incredible staff, students and community. Their dedication to our school district and each other continues to inspire me. Educating our children is one of the MOST important tasks we must do well in life and our employees are giving it their all.
Thanks to our community supporting our zero increase bond in 2024, our septic system was replaced in 2025 and many HVAC, electrical, painting, carpet, doors, bathrooms and gym floors have all been upgraded in some way this summer. At the high school, we’ll be down to the wire to get everything done before school starts! Some of the changes you’ll see, but many are things you won’t see like HVAC and electrical upgrades.
Our safety programming is also increasing this year thanks to a large grant secured by our amazing School Resource Officer, Shane Helmer. Speaking of safety, we’re moving the pick up and drop off to the front of the MS / HS building so you’ll see new signs and hear more about that before school starts. As always, please go slow and use extreme caution when driving on our campus locations. August 26 is our open house and school starts on August 31. We pushed it back a little this year due to all of the construction.
Parents and community members, we need you to volunteer for Booster Club activities such as concession stand workers and 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 as well without your support.
Please feel free to reach out to me anytime. I would love to meet and chat with you. I have open office hours at 5 pm before every board meeting or by appointment. We're looking forward to a fabulous 2026-27 school year here at Pine River Area Schools. Thank you for your support. Go BUCKS!
Sincerely,
Superintendent Michelle Gill
