Is leaving Unified a good idea for Caledonia?

By Brent Killackey

Saturday, June 17, 2006 9:13 PM CDT

Yes: * A new school district could help spur economic development in Caledonia. A number of community leaders have acknowledged that Racine Unified's current performance on standardized tests and low graduation rates hinder efforts to attract businesses and jobs.

* Some in Caledonia feel underserved by Racine Unified - with the few buildings in the area sometimes suggested for closure and a facility master plan that doesn't address anticipated growth. If Caledonia had its own school district, there wouldn't be concerns that the area's needs weren't being met.

* The remaining smaller school districts would have less bureaucracy and a greater ability to make sure students don't fall through the cracks.

No: * If Caledonia pulls out, the remaining Racine Unified School District would have more concentrated poverty. Educational research cited by the recent ad hoc committee on equity and access warned against concentrating poverty in schools, noting that it impacts educational performance of all students in those buildings.

* A Caledonia secession would make it much more difficult to achieve racial balance in schools - a factor that probably would encourage court action.

* Smaller school districts don't have enough students to offer the variety of programs, electives and advanced classes that larger school districts can.

What do you think?

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