Racine Unified committee tables petition calling for end to public funding of private-school vouchers

The Racine Unified School District Legislative Committee on Monday received a petition from the Racine Community Coalition for Public Education asking the board to call on the Wisconsin Legislature to discontinue use of public tax dollars for private-school vouchers and to increase transparency about local tax dollars funding vouchers.

Pete Kinotek, president of the Coalition for Public Education, told the committee the petition included 643 signatures and asked the committee to draft a resolution aligned with WASB positions and a 2024 Kickapoo Area School District resolution used as a model. "The state's constitution mandates the establishment of free public schools," Kinotek said. "The tens of millions of dollars diverted to Racine area private schools should ultimately be redirected to Racine Unified's public schools."

Committee members debated the petition at length. Some members said they supported the petition's aims but questioned strategy and timing given concurrent state budget negotiations and the Joint Finance Committee's actions. Several members and the committee chair noted that the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and regional associations such as SWASA have been focusing lobbying efforts on raising special education funding and general school revenue this legislative session.

Other members emphasized equity concerns: one committee member said vouchers provide options for low-income families and warned that abolishing vouchers would remove a choice for families who cannot otherwise afford private school. Board members also raised accountability questions about private schools' reporting requirements and described a local funding effect tied to the district's "Third Friday" enrollment count, saying students who leave under vouchers sometimes return to district schools while related state aid remains with voucher-authorizing districts.

Brian O'Connell summarized the committee's options: whether to go forward with a resolution to end public funding for vouchers as requested, or to draft a different resolution addressing funding mechanisms or transparency. The committee conducted a straw poll and then a formal motion to table consideration of the petition.

A motion to table the petition passed 3–2. Roll-call votes recorded in committee discussion show Board Member Missus Doxey, Board Member Miss Filar and Board Member Missus Barbian voting yes; Chair Brian O'Connell and Board Member Missus Allen voting no. The committee chair said the petition "is not going away" and that members expect the issue will be revisited; he indicated the committee and full board are likely to focus near term on special-education funding and related state budget items.

No draft resolution was prepared at the meeting. Committee members suggested next steps could include pursuing coordinated action through WASB or SWASA, drafting a narrower resolution focused on transparency or accountability, or waiting for further data and for the state budget process to unfold before taking a formal position.