From The Racine Journal Times: “Because of those factors, RUSD administration recommended closing Dr. Jones, 3300 Chicory Rd., after the 2021-22 school year… [School Board President Jane] Barbian said the school district’s financial health was her main concern. She noted that by keeping Jones open, RUSD will likely have to eliminate other teaching jobs… [Superintendent Eric] Gallien said that the longer the elementary school is kept open, the worse the impact will be when it closes.” Read more here.
Additional context from IRG Senior Research Director Quinton Klabon:
- School districts across Wisconsin face tough financial choices because of lower birthrates and pandemic disruption. Leaders must weigh authentic community connections to buildings against freeing up resources to spend on children’s needs.
- Racine’s enrollment went down 7% from 2019 to this year, with only Milwaukee, West Allis-West Milwaukee, and Beloit losing more among big districts. Districts like these cannot kick the can down the road for long.