[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6303084,"mediaKeyId","2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68","parentId",2475371,"title","Board hears program updates: arts/STEAM compliance, foreign exchange vendors and questions about equity in electives","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1436000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68&start=1436&end=1436","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68/thumbnail_1436000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6303084/Wisconsin/Board-hears-program-updates-artsSTEAM-compliance-foreign-exchange-vendors-and-questions-about-equity-in-electives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303084-a7872be9df37722e23dfa347ece1a24b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995799&Signature=h2nc0Tl2bNfJywPuSrUDp3r0g-9RBJL9v6RQX3G-lAW9QJbKmM3xjcEsldRGHU0ryS~yWMbJmTJYBvuA-nqK9D64d1BTgIO7B-3TBCcxe7U6M~0yuto0DY-qrMMPpPJ6qAkSWtej1gh8ytDmtmI8S-pQ5goEK6MnmIm7DVGzOOcZ9NJMMtw7WNGKZwUYPmseralYfchiao9SO62h~saYPyIjPC4FfUHnPh59SR5-f~eYjEUweP8zcEkK89C554P2NTTOUi7nkC~y~ThRAJBtFHHWwfrWb-W515xeGcPhxrHay2O0PY5as5fkNEW6Af79yg9ZS34yjCSTFlTMOk9Neg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Racine Unified School District","date","2025-03-03T23:58:09Z","article","Racine Unified staff provided programmatic updates March 3 on fine arts, STEAM and foreign exchange vendors, and board members asked for additional demographic and enrollment data to evaluate equity across schools.

Curriculum staff reported compliance with R2 standards for fine arts and STEAM and said the district has expanded community events and course offerings in music, art and STEAM programming. The presenter noted many elective and specialty-school pathways influence where students enroll for arts instruction and that sixth-grade general music is a district requirement.

On foreign exchange, Miss Rutgers said 12 companies applied and passed the district's vetting process; staff recommended the board approve all 12 companies, with one vendor identified as new to this year's list. \"We had a dozen 12 companies that applied, followed the process, and applied to work with us to provide opportunities for students in their foreign exchange programs, and we would be asking that the board approve those 12 companies,\" she said. Staff noted not every approved vendor places students with the district every year.

Board members pressed for data: one member asked for breakdowns by school and grade for music and arts participation to assess equity and whether transportation or specialty-school placement creates unequal access. Staff said they can aggregate elective-choice data and cautioned that specialty schools (for example, Gilmore Fine Arts) attract students districtwide and will skew counts. Board members also discussed instrument rental fees and sliding-scale supports for elementary instrumental programs.

Staff said the foreign-exchange approvals are likely to be included in the consent agenda at the next business meeting; no formal vote occurred March 3. Board liaisons reported PTA activity at Gilmore Fine Arts and noted partnerships that support music and arts events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported R2 compliance for fine arts and STEAM, recommended approval of 12 foreign-exchange vendors (one new), and board members requested enrollment breakdowns and equity information for arts and instrumental programs.","taxTitle","Racine Unified School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",14859,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303089,"RUSD reports December cyber incident affected staff data; district lays out remediation and monitoring steps",84,2928000,3012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68&start=2928&end=3012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68/thumbnail_2928000.jpg","/articles/6303089/Wisconsin/RUSD-reports-December-cyber-incident-affected-staff-data-district-lays-out-remediation-and-monitoring-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303089-2e568afc54717fd5c5c874e657d4ae52/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995799&Signature=QeJf7dhJh2ibAvBMGKbLZMsgjwlVx8iAjMhoiJfdjMOWq57qOphmbV-w2c-TES-vw4wZgoQS2oeCCyJPb5TyrfH7So3FzdQn2pXudxZS0H3kuKv99vGt~rlGeQ55arjrcD7DXQI9LpN1gAbpanoiGAL~05QHGJoWyptXq5SRx7YKKYSMQ88WawL07ySLHmhS3qoN0set8wa9oJIuLxuNdvrOd0HWOVuSTzHa6AVn3mj~7GovjKqTzBLEVWb7lADpzdMhrrr2dLm5huBn5C7y-z4yZm3eOoXiZvRVVkxzL2xfRCkYwhJ7HA7gxbznI5lB4d3jPH-uNFgmQUg7VV6c4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Racine Unified School District officials used the March 3 work session to present their OE-7 asset protection monitoring review and to detail a December cyber incident that affected staff data.

Asset protection lead Mister Peltz told the board the district experienced a cyber incident on Dec. 13. \"We've emailed family that no student data was compromised. Unfortunately, staff data was compromised,\" he said, and staff and former staff received notifications with one year of credit monitoring provided through TransUnion. Peltz encouraged board members with detailed questions to speak directly with Mr. Gajewski, the district administrator handling incident response.

Peltz said the district worked to bring systems back online and that recovery occurred around the third week in January. He praised staff and teachers for operating without full technology for several weeks. On remediation and preparedness, Peltz provided approximate cost figures: about $30,000 annually for cyber insurance (insurer/policy not named) and roughly $400,000–$500,000 annually on hardware and software tools including firewalls, backup processes, antivirus/EDR and other protective tools. \"When it comes to hardware, software, I wanna say pushing forward to $500,000 annually for cyber tools,\" he said.

Board members asked about phishing testing and awareness programs; one board member noted the district's proactive phishing tests to improve staff resilience. Peltz also highlighted non-cyber asset work: roughly 20,000 pounds of secure recycling and about 50,000 pounds of electronic equipment sent to a certified recycler, and approximately $21,000–$22,000 in district auction sales through publicservice.com.

No new formal policy actions were taken March 3; staff outlined ongoing remediation, one-year credit monitoring for affected staff, and continued investments in cyber tools and training.","District provided its OE-7 asset protection monitoring update, confirmed a December 13 cyber incident that compromised staff (not student) data, and said staff and former staff were offered one year of credit monitoring; staff estimated annual cybersecurity spending and recovery timeline.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303094,"District begins work to add state-mandated personal financial literacy for class of 2028; debate surfaces over role of economics",241,1764000,2005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68&start=1764&end=2005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68/thumbnail_1764000.jpg","/articles/6303094/Wisconsin/District-begins-work-to-add-state-mandated-personal-financial-literacy-for-class-of-2028-debate-surfaces-over-role-of-economics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303094-0b6df22083085c504c81c0e3a7d255da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995799&Signature=VG2UBjW6-W5~63iYCdq-Qgx5c9FHFag-5j~YSjlG6WL4L~3IkcjioGU~IMdQryNa3rpouVNEUu5OodVqI1ExY527yunv9lvl2QK7-ZV7cBCGbsHgsGhCqYchZLeHMnifnDUVEs7mueZGDk9Rl3dxX6d0HQ9xvEUbQCdsW4C~0MncWZFmQpoV~yx6YhDI9GZPFvJf7oX7pUzdfmpVHDPSYRw5lzmqCRImkBKp6lDn~X11kMZq85yGugEmNF2~Z9vhtlUZPxZOyEP6cyTpCP3Jhj910cKireD-W7KGqivEeQH1jZIB6MmVCrX~QqvD-V5AApAolsdZ2J1~WkDP8eaPTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Racine Unified administrators told the board March 3 that personal financial literacy is now a Wisconsin state requirement and the district must include a semester course for the Class of 2028. The presentation prompted sustained discussion among board members about whether that change should replace a required economics course or be added without removing economics.

\"Personal financial literacy is now a requirement made, by the state of Wisconsin and we have to include it for the class of 2028,\" the district presenter said, explaining the timeline and that the district's current freshmen (the class of 2028) will need the course. Staff said the district is evaluating options: rewriting the current economics course to avoid overlap, adopting an existing course from a partner such as Gateway Technical College, or creating a Racine Unified-specific personal financial literacy course.

Administrators told the board the new state law requires a full semester of instruction and that staffing and teacher licensing rules will affect how the course is offered. If the district adopts an existing Gateway course and wants it for college credit, the presenter said only a business teacher could teach it; a local personal financial literacy course could be taught by a social studies teacher, business teacher or other licensed staff depending on state licensure guidance.

Several board members urged preserving economics as a required course. Board member Coe said economics and personal financial literacy are not the same and argued against removing economics from the core requirement. \"Personal finance... is not the same class. I think that is a horrible idea, especially after we talked in ABL about rigor,\" he said. Other members echoed concerns about rigor and equity and asked staff to return with schedule and credit scenarios.

Staff described next steps: the March 3 presentation is an initial step; the district will bring more detailed proposals, schedule options and a public-comment process later in the year. Staff cautioned that graduation-credit totals and schedules would affect final placement of the course and that those decisions will return to the board for review.

The board did not vote on changes March 3; members asked for follow-up information on staffing, high-school credit for middle-school coursework, and how the district will ensure equitable access to elective specialty schools and instrument rental/support for elementary instrumental programs.","Administrators outlined steps to add a state-required personal financial literacy semester for the class of 2028; board members expressed concern about reducing economics as a required course and asked for curriculum and staffing follow-ups.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303099,"RUSD staff outline planned defeasances to meet spend-down rules; two transfers expected to save future interest",72,1186000,1258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68&start=1186&end=1258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68/thumbnail_1186000.jpg","/articles/6303099/Wisconsin/RUSD-staff-outline-planned-defeasances-to-meet-spend-down-rules-two-transfers-expected-to-save-future-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303099-1519e683dad964cad5af8093e3f54f09/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995799&Signature=KQRdgvf2pAAwgnOmAIx4a37LthVILaYBnngtKD9bVTVUyD0ciZ377Tv6pwSS1fMBG560E6FyOWxX38V7A-C4JtKCcK5NSDH9jXQtbAaiV5vszs-0LsVO~viwmmZ3Rn5We-1B2CPQ4G2K09~K9bUe8m55-1J6dIBDZygheydeyCUAR2KeYkSAbZyrPyHHGXK4r4JKMGvY3H~91iMdJxGC26eIgr0kLGY~obKfgYN6jKhents5-nlNVvBZEe7OYCFUhwTjd5Q7frtrndeXQOarEJSS0gI~w0mQCK4kSPyZdrPTIJNnAUFE10Xj4MADc96I37Obiq8IN3I3ri-hOL23zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Racine Unified School District finance staff told the board on March 3 that the district will present two resolutions on March 17 authorizing transfers to complete required spend-downs and defeasances tied to past borrowing; staff said the moves are expected to reduce future interest costs.

Finance staff reported that in April 2023 the district borrowed $27.9 million for construction projects at Starbuck (Starbucks IB) and Durst at Agri Home. To meet spend-down requirements, the district plans a debt defeasance with an estimated defeasance amount of $2,000,000; staff estimated the move would save about $588,000 in future interest costs. \"In order to do that, we will be doing a debt defeasance for an estimated amount of $2,000,000, which will save an estimated $588,000 in future interest costs,\" the presenter said.

Separately, the board previously approved a $3,000,000 levy to fund AD Community Services to pay down aquatic center debt from October 2020. Completing a defeasance related to that levy, staff said, is expected to save approximately $191,000 in future interest expense. Staff indicated both resolutions will be presented for board action at the March 17 business meeting.

No formal votes were taken at the March 3 work session. Board members asked procedural questions and acknowledged the potential interest savings; staff noted the transfer/resolution process is for compliance with spend-down timing and to reduce long-term interest costs.

Next steps: both resolutions will be brought to the March 17 business meeting for formal board action. Staff said they have handled similar defeasances in prior months and will provide final figures and formal resolution language at that meeting.","District staff said they will present resolutions on March 17 to defease portions of past borrowings tied to construction projects and an aquatic center, collectively expected to save roughly $779,000 in future interest.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303104,"RUSD reviews Walden 3 renovation plans; staff recommends Fendorf Construction as construction manager at risk",505,144000,649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68&start=144&end=649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2475371-eaa31cbb9133c57fd316c5b935381d68/thumbnail_144000.jpg","/articles/6303104/Wisconsin/RUSD-reviews-Walden-3-renovation-plans-staff-recommends-Fendorf-Construction-as-construction-manager-at-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303104-60154622d4f5a25b4b879b3fbe9564c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770995799&Signature=N7xAOYzc94keK8EKhIViGElod5R1QTfs8WqukQQ2ks2do6Tz8Twb8fYLwWN6Ok8La-HPSVxYVm~dNAS7QIm3cW-cEAKhWu0A2DnyKjgEV6m6Ai2LFAHnPgK5tIjYKXF1sAGe0zSU9aL1501nbcwuJTkQr38JayOvoo9eDkqc9V-ZR5DHxjudTMaDqwTHrxVscLMbaYKE5R~dCUlc6OdhcwJjleLmSFc49HyWJvZLX1rQQ9QiOwXBoDFOfmmhzpIQ2bhVh-5lk5SjCO1bB70tdw7ogw65nob1WEXfNm~cERdSEPyzgUoYCv-yzOZoiyUUeC8r4EL-c86xhZPIWZzapw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Racine Unified School District (RUSD) officials reviewed design plans and accessibility upgrades for Walden 3 during the board work session on March 3, and district staff recommended selecting Fendorf Construction as the construction manager at risk for the project, with board action scheduled for the March 17 business meeting.

Eric Meigren, an architect with Partners in Design Architects, said the project focuses on overcoming accessibility shortcomings in the building originally constructed in 1921 and expanded in 1955 and 1976. He said the work will correct failures in the stone and brick façade, add a secure vestibule with an Evolv screening system, relocate the main office to a central, accessible location and add an elevator that will provide access to all three floors. \"We will be putting in a lift in the eastern portion of the building to access the two floors over there,\" Meigren said.

Meigren described a phased approach on the floor plans: light renovations (new lighting and finishes), heavier renovations (reconfigurations to meet district standards), and major renovations (full restroom gutting to achieve ADA-compliant fixtures and water-saving plumbing). He also noted exterior work including restriping parking lots, replacing deteriorated sidewalks, targeted track repairs and a concrete slab for a planned future greenhouse.

During board Q&A, members raised common operational questions: whether the project includes air conditioning (Meigren: \"Yes. Yes. They do.\"), visitor parking and how student parking and event parking will be handled. Board members also asked about converting locker-room space and repurposing the second-floor locker room into a fitness center and new physical activity offices.

District staff said the highest-scored vendor for construction manager at risk services is Fendorf Construction and that the board will be asked to approve that recommendation at the March 17 business meeting. No formal vote was taken at the March 3 work session.

Meigren and staff emphasized the project goal of bringing accessibility and safety improvements to a building that pre-dates the Americans with Disabilities Act while preserving and repairing historic exterior materials. The project team said mechanical upgrades, including a new air-handling unit and new electrical equipment enclosures, are part of the scope.

Next steps: the district will present the Fendorf Construction recommendation for board approval on March 17 and continue detailed design work and coordination with school staff. If approved, staff said construction manager at risk services will move toward contract and pricing phases.","Architects presented ADA, security and accessibility upgrades for Walden 3; district staff recommended Fendorf Construction for construction manager at risk and will ask the board to vote March 17.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears program updates: arts/STEAM compliance, foreign exchange vendors and questions about equity in electives

RUSD reports December cyber incident affected staff data; district lays out remediation and monitoring steps

District begins work to add state-mandated personal financial literacy for class of 2028; debate surfaces over role of economics

RUSD staff outline planned defeasances to meet spend-down rules; two transfers expected to save future interest

RUSD reviews Walden 3 renovation plans; staff recommends Fendorf Construction as construction manager at risk