School Officials and Village Presidents Talk about Racine Unified Referendum

The election on Tues., April 5 could be key to whether or not Racine Unified can start working to close the achievement gap amongst its younger students, according to principals at two schools.

Ken Black, a sub-school principal at J.I. Case High School, and Christopher Thompson, principal at West Ridge Elementary School, both feel that approving the funding for additional teachers and smaller class sizes is the most important referendum question facing residents.

"It doesn't really matter where you teach," Black said. "Class size reductions are the key."

Not only do smaller class sizes improve the relationships teachers have with students overall, fewer students means teachers have more time to review difficult material and schedule a little more one-on-one time with children. Additonally, Black said, parents will also be a larger component in their child's success.

Thompson pointed to the 2010 summer school session for evidence that smaller class sizes provide richer learning opportunities for children. 

"We had classes with ten or 15 students per teacher and the results were nothing short of amazing," he said. "Those smaller groups made a big difference and did great things for those students."

Mount Pleasant Village President Carolyn Milkie and Sturtevant Village President Steve Jansen believe that given the economic climate of the district and hard-hit Unified families, the referendum questions have a slim chance of passing.

"We do need to modernize our buildings in order to keep our children prepared for the future," Milkie said. "The Unified community in general needs to be more diligent about keeping up with the times." Having said that, though, Milkie did say she is doubtful the referendum will be successful.

Jansen echoed her comments, adding that residents are frustrated because they can't take another hit on their property taxes.

"I look at Schulte Elementary as a perfect example of a school that needs expansion because of all the growth in our village," he said. "But people are asking why they should approve more money when past referendums haven't worked."

Still, Thompson said if Unified taxpayers want to see an immediate impact and lasting investment, then approving the funds for more teachers and smaller classes is the way to go.

"The biggest bang for the buck in reducing the achievement gap in younger ages is smaller class sizes," he said. "If we want students to move forward into higher grades with a firm grasp of concepts, then the greatest impact is at the elementary level."