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Racine Unified proposes 2026–27 calendar with PLC Wednesdays, fall break and extended PLC time
Summary
Administration presented a draft 2026–27 calendar based on an 804‑staff survey: first day Sept. 1, open house Aug. 27, a one‑day fall break Oct. 12, PLC time via 30 early‑release Wednesdays, and small daily minute increases to meet DPI requirements; board asked for survey and PLC agendas for accountability.
District staff presented a draft Racine Unified School District calendar for 2026–27 on Jan. 12 built from an 804‑staff survey and multiple staff consultations.
Highlights: the proposed student first day is Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026; open house is Thursday, Aug. 27; the district would add a one‑day fall break on Monday, Oct. 12; spring recess would remain the week after Easter; last day of school is proposed as June 10 with records day June 11; summer school would run June 22–July 29. The district proposed fifty‑plus professional learning hours split between regular full professional learning days and 30 one‑hour early‑release Wednesdays designated for PLC (professional learning community) work.
Staff said survey participation included 804 employees, 68% of whom were teachers, and that 26.9% of respondents are also district parents. To preserve DPI instructional minutes while adding weekly PLC time, the draft calendar converts one front‑loaded PL day to an instructional day and adds six minutes to most instructional days; administration reported the elementary schedule meets minute requirements and high schools have limited flexibility.
Board members raised logistical concerns: teacher compensation and workload, how extended learning and after‑school programs would be staffed, parity for alternating A/B high‑school schedules, attendance impacts on Fridays and post‑holiday days, and how parents would be notified. Administration replied that teachers are contracted for 7.5 hours per day and that early release does not lengthen the workday; extended learning would begin immediately after the shortened instructional day and educational assistants would be leveraged to staff programs. Board members asked for the full staff survey and for a report on PLC agendas and how the PLC time will be used; administration agreed to provide the survey and ongoing updates.
What's next: The draft calendar will be presented for a vote at the next business meeting and staff will supply the requested survey materials and PLC plans for board review.
