Racine Unified School District approves salary schedules and construction projects for schools

The Racine Unified School District is gearing up for significant financial decisions as it prepares to vote on new salary schedules and construction projects at its upcoming business meeting.

A key highlight from the recent Board Work Session was the proposed salary schedules for the 2025-26 school year, which include a 2.95% wage increase for teachers and other staff. This increase is projected to cost the district over $3 million for teachers alone, with additional costs for educational assistants and other employee groups bringing the total to approximately $4.4 million. The new salary schedules are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, pending board approval.

In addition to salary discussions, the board reviewed plans for construction projects, including site modifications at Julian Thomas Elementary. The district is recommending Welcome Excavating and Grading for the project, which has a total budget of $656,280. This project is part of a land swap agreement with the City of Racine and aims to enhance parking facilities and relocate playground equipment. The anticipated start date for construction is this summer, with completion expected during the fall semester.

Another major project discussed was the construction of a new gymnasium and additional facilities at Goodland Montessori K-8 School. The projected budget for this project has increased slightly to $16,592,045, largely due to potential tariff impacts. The board will consider approving a guaranteed maximum price of $13,026,933 for this construction at the upcoming meeting.

These discussions underscore the district's commitment to improving educational facilities and staff compensation, with significant financial implications for the community. The board's upcoming votes will be crucial in shaping the future of Racine's educational landscape.