Racine Unified Board Exploring Redistricting Options

In what is described as extremely early steps, Board members are exploring redistricting options to help address a potential deficit and maintain a more competitive edge with school choice.

Because Wind Point Elementary has low enrollment, the board is looking at four potential paths as listed in the Board Notes from the Racine Unified website:

1. Wind Point becomes the Racine Early Education Center (REEC).
   
2. Move 89 students from the Olympia Brown Elementary School boundary to the Wind Point Elementary School boundary area. Space at Olympia Brown would be freed up to expand the REAL School, the District's charter middle and high school.
3. Wind Point students would be moved to Gifford, Goodland and Julian Thomas Elementary Schools. This would free up space for Bull Fine Arts and Red Apple Elementary Schools, which are both magnet schools in the District, to expand.
4. Wind Point closes and students relocate to Gifford, Goodland and Julian Thomas Elementary Schools.
5. Wind Point closes and all elementary schools are redistricted.

There was a discussion at the Dec. 19 Board Meeting, but no decisions were made. President Bill Van Atta pointed out there needs to be a balance between cost savings, goals, and a timeline for how to reach those goals.

"The Board will likely plan a study session for February in which to discuss these things," said Stacy Tapp via email. "While Wind Point was the focus of the initial options discussed last night, that was just a preliminary conversation and nothing will be determined until there is more research done and more information shared with the Board."