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