The surge, albeit small, to have the Racine suburbs break away from RUSD and create their own school district has met some misinformed resistance. (Note: You can still show your support at Suburban Racine Schools.)
The opponents to this concept claim the following:
1. It's a move purely based on race.
-Completely untrue! This decision is based purely on government. RUSD has taken the tax dollars from Caledonians and shown very little in return. Many programs are directed to the schools located within the city limits and the recent facilities study puts very little money into to the outlying schools. Even some of the closures have been directed at Wind Point and O. Brown, two of the four elementary schools in Caledonia.
2. Caledonia is too small in population.
-Caledonia has been growing for the last several years. The story and graphic(at right) from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel show considerable growth since 2000 in all suburbs and a decline in the city of Racine. Also look at the other areas that have their own schools, like Waterford and Burlington. Each are about half the size of Caledonia and they seem to do just fine in the ways of programs, academics and sports.
3. The tax base can't afford it.
-Brenda at Racine's Report Card handles the calculations to show what Caledonia residents currently pay in taxes can cover the students costs at a rate similar to RUSD's high per pupil costs. That said, after the district gets running, I would think the number could be lowered.
Bottom line, if the citizens of Caledonia, and possibly other suburbs, want accountability from their school district, they have to look away from RUSD. There are two ways to handle that issue, move to another community, or form their own district. I would prefer the latter.
