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RUSD updates long-range facilities plan; projects on budget and more construction under way
Summary
Racine Unified officials reported Nov. 3 that ten referendum-funded projects are complete, several projects remain under construction and the long-range facilities budget remains on track despite higher escalation costs.
The Racine Unified School District presented its November 2025 annual long-range facilities master plan update, reporting progress on construction, budget status and workforce goals tied to the district’s community-approved referendum.
Administration said ten projects have been completed to date and that all came in on or under their total project budgets. Projects completed in the past year include renovations at Horlick and additions or renovations at Mitchell, Olympia Brown, SC Johnson and the opening of the new Schulte School. Near-term completions include Red Apple STEAM and renovations at Fratt; seven projects remain under construction (Case, Fratt, Gifford, Goodland Montessori, Red Apple STEAM, Roosevelt and Wadewitz). The district reported project budgets remain on track within the amount approved in the 2020 referendum despite increased escalation and inflation adjustments; the presentation noted some savings and scope reductions that could be redeployed to phase 2 projects.
The district highlighted solar installations at Red Apple, Schulte, Case, Gifford, Goodland Montessori and Walden. On real estate, Winslow School has been turned over to the city under a property-exchange agreement; Julian Thomas’ parking work related to a city project is complete; and the Geezy school property is listed for sale. Administration said a review of high-school attendance boundaries is underway to optimize building capacity and equitable enrollment. The board was also told that phase 4 construction (Gilmore Fine Arts and Walden 3) is planned to start in summer 2026.
Administration emphasized workforce-development goals in construction, saying all current projects are meeting or exceeding a 20 percent local workforce participation goal and that most projects are meeting youth-apprentice participation targets. Board members asked for additional detail on adult-apprenticeship placements and on increasing youth-apprenticeship opportunities for at‑risk students; staff said they will continue to coordinate with academies, local training programs and construction managers to expand those placements.
The board was asked to accept the long-range facilities master plan update on the superintendent’s consent agenda at the November business meeting.
