South River Forum Brings Residents and Leaders Together at Skyline

Local leaders and residents gathered Sunday afternoon at Skyline High School for a South River District community forum to strengthen communication and connect people with local resources.

The informal meeting, hosted by School Board Chair Kristen Pence and South River District Supervisor Cheryl Cullers, was held March 15 in the Skyline High School cafeteria. The event brought together county leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community members for open conversations about schools, public services, and issues affecting the district.

Rather than a traditional public meeting with speeches and time limits, the forum was designed as a relaxed setting where residents could move around the room, talk directly with officials, and learn about services offered in Warren County.

Cullers welcomed attendees and thanked the organizations that took time out of their Sunday to participate.

“We’re going to keep this really informal,” Cullers said as the meeting began. “Just come up to us and ask the questions you have.”

Information cards with contact numbers for county services, including road issues, public works, sanitary districts, and the Sheriff’s Office, were also available for residents.

Around the cafeteria, tables were set up for local agencies and nonprofit groups so residents could speak one-on-one with representatives and learn about community programs.

Pence said the goal of the event was to encourage those conversations.

While attendance was modest, organizers said the people who came made the most of the opportunity to connect with local leaders and service providers.

Pence said the discussions happening around the room were exactly what organizers hoped to see.

“They’re talking to each other, which is what we want to see in any kind of community event like this,” she said. “Hopefully, they met some new people in our county and learned about some new nonprofits.”

Budget issues were also part of the conversation. Pence said Warren County Public Schools is currently working through its annual budget process, including addressing rising employee insurance costs.

“Everyone’s heard by now that we had a 23.7 percent increase in our expected insurance,” Pence said. “Our primary goal as the school board is going to be making sure our teachers don’t lose money on their contracts next year because of insurance.”

Pence noted that the school system employs more than 500 people, and balancing insurance costs with salary increases will be a major focus during upcoming budget discussions.

Dr. Troy Wright, superintendent of Warren County Public Schools, also attended the forum and spoke with residents about the school system’s budget and long-term planning.

Wright said declining student enrollment has created financial challenges that require careful planning.

“With declining enrollment, we have to be very strategic,” Wright said. “As we lose students, we lose revenue, so we have to look carefully at positions when people retire or resign and decide if we can absorb those roles.”

Despite those challenges, Wright said maintaining manageable class sizes remains a priority.

“One of the things I’ve really enjoyed about getting into our schools is seeing very nice class sizes where teachers are able to work with students and students can work in groups,” he said.

Wright said the division is also looking at ways to balance staffing levels across schools, noting that some elementary schools are nearing capacity while others have smaller class sizes.

Facility maintenance is another issue the school system is addressing as buildings age.

“Skyline was built in 2007,” Wright said. “The roofs, chillers, and mechanical systems eventually start to fail, and we have to plan for that.”

He said possible state funding for one-time capital expenses could help address some of those needs.

Cullers said events like the community forum help leaders hear directly from residents outside the structure of formal government meetings.

“I would have liked to have seen the room full,” Cullers said after the event. “But the people who were here had good conversations.”

She added that the goal is simply to make local government more accessible to residents.

“My vote affects everybody,” Cullers said. “I raised my children here, my grandchildren are here, and I want this to be the best place for everyone.”

Cullers said she and Pence hope to continue hosting similar events in the future to keep the lines of communication open.

“We’re better together,” she said. “We don’t always have to agree on everything, but when people sit down and talk, that’s how we move forward.”

Additional stories highlighting the nonprofit organizations that participated in the forum will follow.