Three sworn onto Racine Unified School District Board, new member emphasizes public education

Three new members — Ethan Clements, Scott Cohee and Sarah Walker Cleveland — were sworn in as members of the Racine Unified School District Board of Education during an oath-of-office ceremony at the board meeting. The oath was administered by the honorable Jamie McClendon, identified in the meeting as a Racine County circuit court judge.

Judge McClendon read the oath committing each new member to "support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Wisconsin" and to "faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of office as a member of the Board of Education of the Racine Unified School District." Each nominee repeated the oath and was acknowledged as sworn.

After her swearing, Sarah Walker Cleveland thanked the attendees and spoke briefly about the importance of public education. "I just wanted everyone to know how important public education is to me," she said, noting that public schooling supported her from undergraduate study through law school and that she felt honored to serve.

The ceremony concluded with the chair noting the oath-of-office segment was complete and that the board would not proceed with the next agenda item until the scheduled start time. No formal votes or policy decisions were taken during the oath ceremony.

Next steps: The newly sworn members join the board roster and will participate in future meetings and district business according to the board's calendar.