Racine schools want $118 million from voters, promise improvement

Amy Hetzner:

In a city hit hard by the recent economic downturn, school officials have set an ambitious agenda for turning around a struggling school system.

Within five years, Racine Unified School District officials say, their goal is to have 90% of third-graders reading at grade level or higher - a dramatic improvement over the 65% proficiency rate posted on the recent state test.

What they're asking for in return in a Tuesday referendum is an additional $118.5 million. If approved, it would be the largest successful referendum in Wisconsin, not even counting another question on the ballot that seeks an additional $10 million for district reserves.

"What this referendum is about is us, as a district, making a commitment, but also having the community make a commitment, to make us demonstrably better," Racine Unified Deputy Superintendent Alan Harris said.

Harris was formerly Principal of Madison's East High School.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at April 4, 2011 1:21 AM
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