As superintendent of Racine Unified Schools, I have two important roles. The first is to improve student achievement and ensure that we reach our North Star Vision of all students graduating career and/or college ready. The second is to advocate for our students. With the state budget bill threatening to unfairly impact Racine Unified, I feel compelled to clearly communicate the negative impact on our schools and to advocate for fair education funding for ALL students.
According to a March 15, 2011 publication from the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Racine Unified School District will lose more general school aid in the Governor’s budget bill than any other school district in Wisconsin except Milwaukee. Final budget estimates regarding state aid will not be available until July 1. According to the March 15 hypothetical estimates, general school aid to Racine Unified will be reduced by $11,090,701. Racine loses more state aid than other comparable districts and also has the highest poverty rate. Comparable Wisconsin school districts are listed below:
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Legislative Fiscal Bureau Estimates of the |
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| District | 2010-11 Enrollment | 2010-11 Poverty Level | Reduction in General Aid |
| Madison | 24,806 | 48.7% | $ -5,261,263 |
| Kenosha | 22,986 | 47.8% | $ -9,827,100 |
| Racine | 21,100 | 59.4% | $ -11,090,701 |
| Green Bay | 20,376 | 57.6% | $ -8,504,273 |
| Appleton | 15,189 | 37.5% | $ -8,669,440 |
For more than 50 years, the state funding formula has attempted to provide increased general aid to districts with low property value and poor children. The Wisconsin tradition was to “equalize” state aid to provide “the establishment of district schools, which shall be as nearly uniform as practicable” (Wisconsin Constitution, Article X). Racine is a highly-aided school district because it has lower property values and a large percentage of low-socio economic children. Reductions in state aid penalize highly-aided school districts and weaken the state’s attempt to provide a uniform education.
We are proud of all of our children and the quality education that has been provided to Racine students over many years. But I am concerned that the proposed reduction in state aid for Racine will impact Racine children more than children in other school districts throughout Wisconsin. The school staff with the support of the community is working to improve education so all children are career and/or college ready. The Racine community has provided strong financial support for many years through local property taxes. The state also has a responsibility to provide financial support for the Racine Unified School District so that Racine children are provided a quality education comparable to other Wisconsin school districts.
As Racine Unified superintendent, it is my job to lead the District to improved student achievement. We will continue to work with the resources we have to ensure all of our students achieve our shared North Star Vision. At the same time, we, as a community, must continue to advocate for our children. The future of Racine depends on their success.
