RACINE - The Racine Unified School District could soon start beefing up security in its schools if the Unified School Board approves a plan to spend $1.4 million on upgrades.

Tonight, the board also will decide whether to approve a request from a third Unified school to adopt a stricter dress policy.

The board also will consider a plan that would install security systems that provide card access to schools for staff, as well as camera monitoring at school entrances.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the district's Central Office, 2220 Northwestern Ave.

The district has been evaluating security in its schools in the wake of the sexual assault of a first-grader at Red Apple Elementary School in February 2007.

District officials have said that safety improvements would be "a prime objective" for the remainder of the

2007-08 school year.

According to the plan, the district would install card readers on doors normally used by staff and students during the school day.

Staff would get access cards that allow them to get into the school only during designated hours. The cards also would function as staff IDs, according to the district's plan.

The district also will install video phones at the main entrance for visitors to gain access into the school.

The first schools to have the security system installed will be the 23 schools that qualified as part of the district's $1.7 million Qualified Zone Academy Bond. The board in December approved borrowing through the federally sponsored program that gives tax credits to financial institutions that loan money to school districts.

In turn, districts with high rates of poverty get a break on interest rates.

Some of the loan could be used to improve technology instruction, by purchasing and upgrading computers in district schools, but district officials have said security measures would be the priority.

Funding for the remaining seven schools and the district's administration building will come from the referendum voters approved in April. The work will be completed for all of the schools throughout the year.

Officials with the district's buildings and grounds department are recommending awarding a contract to Franklin-based Vuance Inc. for $784,003 for the QZAB schools and $672,400 in district funds for work on the other schools.

Knapp dress policy

Earlier this year, officials at Knapp Elementary School, started considering a stricter dress policy for students as a way to address student behavior and its effect on academic

achievement.

If the School Board approves the school's request, Knapp would be the third school to create its own dress policy, one that is slightly stricter than the one already on the books for the district.

Under the proposed policy, students at Knapp, 2701 17th St., would be required to wear khaki or corduroy pants and solid-color shirts with collars. The policy places restrictions on the length of skirts and bans jeans and clothing with brand-name logos.

If approved, Knapp would be the first elementary school in the district to have such a dress policy.

Two years ago, Gilmore Middle School was the first Unified school to adopt its own dress policy.

McKinley Middle School followed, adopting its policy for the current school year.

If approved, Knapp's policy would take effect in the fall.

"It is not the panacea, but it is certainly worth taking a look at," Knapp Principal Gayle Titus said in

February.