Racine Unified board approves $975,000 sale of former Jefferson Lighthouse School

The Racine Unified School District board on March 23 approved an administration recommendation to accept an offer of $975,000 for 1722 West 6th Street, the former Jefferson Lighthouse School.

Peter Reynolds, a district staff member presenting the item, said the contract would be an 'as is, where is' sale with an inspection period through April 30, 2026, and a closing date of May 29, 2026. Reynolds identified the buyer as Sonnenberg Schools in Racine and confirmed the property was listed through the district's broker.

Board members asked whether the district had incurred maintenance costs while the building was vacant. Reynolds said the only ongoing expense was utilities. A board member noted the building dates to 1899 and characterized the sale as one way to reduce carrying costs for an unused facility.

Board member Miss Walker Cleveland moved to approve the offer; the motion was seconded and carried on a 5–0 roll-call vote.

The board took the action under its regular agenda after discussing the item in executive session earlier the same day. The administration identified no additional conditions in the motion; the sale will proceed under the inspection and closing timeline reported.

The board did not announce further public hearings on the property sale; the closing timeline in the board packet remains May 29, 2026.