Horlick High School library staff and administrators on Oct. 6 asked the Racine Unified School Board to approve a proposal to install zSpace — a headset‑free augmented/virtual reality instructional system — in the Horlick library using Common School Fund dollars.

Daniel Hernandez, Horlick directing principal, and the library media specialist (Shar Hartle) described zSpace as a VR/AR tool that offers virtual simulations and hands‑on learning experiences across science, math, health, CTE and literacy. Joe Parlier, vice president of learning and customer success for zSpace, joined the presentation and described the product, teacher professional learning, and district alignment work that would accompany purchasing the system.

Hartle highlighted classroom applications including virtual dissections, 3D visualization tied to Tinkercad, and BlocksCAD for block‑based coding that can bridge to text coding. Parlier said the software suite includes lessons aligned to Wisconsin standards and implementation services including on‑site professional development and remote follow‑up.

When the board asked about cost and funding, the district’s library director explained the Common School Fund would be the proposed source. Jeff (district finance staff) said the common school fund had a fund balance of approximately $857,000 at the end of the last fiscal year and that the balance is carried forward each year; the presenters also noted the fund is subject to legislative change and is managed by the state bureau that administers the Common School Fund.

Board members asked about math use, districtwide rollout, and sustainability. Parlier and Horlick staff described BlocksCAD and other zSpace applications that present mathematical concepts through hands‑on coding and 3D visualization. Administrators said they had not yet computed whether the Common School Fund could support installations at multiple schools, and they noted that district librarians and facilitators would be needed for broad adoption.

Hartle said the Horlick team would provide professional development and suggested Horlick could host walkthroughs for other schools. The board did not vote at the work session; Gajewski said the proposal will be on the Oct. 20 business meeting agenda for formal action.

The presentation included vendor materials claiming increased engagement and examples of improved AP Biology performance where districts that added zSpace saw score gains; presenters and board members discussed those vendor citations but did not present district outcome data beyond pilot usage metrics.