RUSD board approves FY26 interim budget, pay structures, construction contracts and arts curriculum

At its June 16 meeting, the Racine Unified School District Board of Education approved the district’s FY2025–26 interim budget and a series of personnel and construction items, including recommended salary structures, benefit-rate updates, construction contracts for Julian Thomas and Goodland Montessori, and adoption of a K–8 visual‑arts curriculum.

Budget and personnel votes The board approved the interim FY2025–26 budget (motion moved by Trustee Barbian; second by Trustee O'Connell) on a 7–0 roll call. Administration said the interim budget reflects current state funding assumptions and the recently passed referendum, while noting federal funding, inflation and later state decisions remain potential variables for future budgets.

The board also approved updates to employee benefit premium rates; the FY26 teacher salary structure; the district (RUSD) salary structure covering administrators, BSC and clerical staff; and the FY26 educational assistant salary structure. All personnel items passed on unanimous roll calls recorded as seven yes votes.

Construction and facilities The board awarded RFP 25‑008R for Julian Thomas site work to Wilcom Excavating and Grading in the contract amount of $52,513, authorizing a total project budget of $656,280. Administration said the work recoups parking and access lost to a city land swap connected to the Lincoln King Center project and includes a 4K playground and service/maintenance access adjustments.

The board approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) to Hunsinger Construction Company for Goodland Montessori K–8 construction: $13,026,933 for construction with a total project budget of $16,592,045. Administrators said the Goodland work includes new gym space, air conditioning, and a new kitchen to replace the existing hallway kitchen.

Curriculum The board approved purchase of Art of Education University curricular resources for K–8 visual arts in an amount not to exceed $300,906 over six years. The adoption was presented at the June 2 work session and approved on a unanimous vote.

Consent agendas Both the board consent agenda and the superintendent consent agenda were approved on voice/roll‑call votes recorded as unanimous (7–0).

Votes at a glance - FY2025–26 interim budget: moved by Miss Barbian; seconded by Mister O'Connell; outcome: approved, 7–0. - FY26 employee premium/benefit-rate update: moved by Mister O'Connell; seconded by Miss Flor; outcome: approved, 7–0. - FY26 teacher salary structure: moved by Miss Barbian; seconded by Miss Walker Cleveland; outcome: approved, 7–0. - RUSD salary structure (administrators/BSC/clerical): moved by Miss Doxey; seconded by Mister O'Connell; outcome: approved, 7–0. - FY26 educational assistant salary structure: moved by Miss Barbian; seconded by Miss Soler; outcome: approved, 7–0. - Julian Thomas site improvements (RFP 25‑008R to Wilcom Excavating & Grading): moved by Miss Barbian and Mister O'Connell; seconded by Miss Doxey; contract $52,513; total budget $656,280; outcome: approved, 7–0. - Goodland Montessori GMP (Hunsinger Construction Company): moved by Miss Barbian and Mister Long; seconded by Miss Walker Cleveland; GMP $13,026,933; total budget $16,592,045; outcome: approved, 7–0. - Adoption of K–8 visual arts curriculum (Art of Education University): moved by Miss Barbian; seconded by Mister Bellagio; amount not to exceed $300,906 over six years; outcome: approved, 7–0. - Board consent agenda: moved by Miss Barbian; seconded by Mister O'Connell; outcome: approved, 7–0. - Superintendent consent agenda: moved by Miss Barbian; seconded by Mister Cohen; outcome: approved, 7–0.

No items were tabled or failed. The meeting adjourned after routine business.