RUSD school goes green

The Johnson Foundation, as everyone who reads the JT knows, is going green by installing a solar energy system at their offices located at Wingspread. What Racine residents may not know is that Walden III, a RUSD school, has plans to go green as well.

From a recent Walden III newsletter: Over the summer two companies submitted estimates for the installation of a 14kW solar electric system on the roof of Walden’s main building. A week or so ago, representatives from central office came to Walden to give not only their approval for the project, but also permission to use the energy and the money it will generate to increase the energy efficiency of other parts of the school.

Like the Johnson Foundation’s project, 60% of the costs will be covered by grants and the students of Walden, through fundraising, will cover much of the remaining costs. Whatever your opinion on the whole “greenhouse” and “carbon footprint” debate is – you have to admit that investing in alternative energy sources makes sense.

With all due respect to the other schools, having young people focus their time and resources on making a school green is far more meaningful than some of the community service projects being done across our state.

The Summer of 64

Dr. Vanden Wyngaard, RUSD Chief Academic Officer and Acting Superintendent, was recently interviewed on the radio. The interview is a must-listen for anyone that is concerned about public education here in Racine.

I am not going to rehash everything she spoke of – but I do want to point out what I feel is pivotal for the continuing success of our schools. Most of the past focus has been at the elementary level – Dr. V is now looking at transforming our secondary schools. She knows, as many do, that for any reform to be successful, 90% of the direct stakeholders need to “buy-in” and commit 100% to the initiatives.

She spent the summer, dubbed as the “Summer of 64” with 64 RUSD employees (teachers, principals and others) working on this monumental task. It is my belief that past reform initiatives have suffered because of the inconsistent implementation – there is also the notion that former leaders of this district did not engage the staff in planning sessions, therefore alienating the front-line staff from the beginning.

It is completely refreshing to see a leader willing to engage her staff from the start! I am excited, (as I am sure others are) to see what comes out of the “Summer of 64” planning sessions.

The PBCG Legacy

Thought I would pass this link along - it was written by a former St. Francis School board member. The post is somewhat lengthy, but please read the whole thing...

As many of you know, PBCG has done work with many school districts across Wisconsin and this is not the first time that PBCG has created havoc within a district.

We're #1

The good news:Racine is finally number 1 at something!
The bad news: We’re number 1 for our jobless rate…

My perspective on this is simple; it’s the schools, stupid!! Companies will not, and are not, moving to this area because we have a low-performing school district.

I ask this question of all the community leaders in the Racine area, “Please, please, please help RUSD solve their problems!”

We cannot continue to have the local politicians wring their hands and look the other way. I’m so bleeding tired of hearing, “RUSD is a separate taxing body. We cannot do anything! Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.”

The schools belong to everyone, and everyone needs to step up and do their share. If we do nothing, the situation will NEVER change.

Who's to blame for RUSD fiasco?

Everyone I have talked to about the recent happenings within RUSD is looking for someone to blame. Some blame the consulting group PBCG, some the (now former) superintendent, Dr. Hicks, and finally some are blaming the board for their lack of oversight.

Having watched all three parties in action over the years, I would agree that all 3 (Hicks, PBCG and RUSD board) are culpable in the matter. Hicks may be guilty of abusing his Executive Limitations, PBCG may be guilty of fleecing the district and the board is definitely guilty of not providing any oversight over both of them.

Policy Governance, the governing style the board adopted in January 2006, is the main culprit (in my humble opinion). This governing style is a “hands-off” approach, the board members do not approve payments on a regular basis and the superintendent has near-autonomous control over everything. The board "clarifies" their needs, and the superintendent goes about trying to meet those needs anyway he sees fit.

You can quickly understand how RUSD got itself into this mess…

But I hear very little about another party that can be blamed for this fiasco; the voters and taxpayers of eastern Racine County. If we (as a collective group) continue to vote board members in that do not understand the true meaning of accountability – this scenario will keep playing out again and again. Do yourself a favor next April; actually try to make an INFORMED vote. Go to a forum, call the candidates, but just get acquaint yourself with the candidates!!

And if you are not apprised of the issues or candidates, please do me a favor and stay away from the polls on Election Day.

When parents go bad

Can the parents involved be expelled as well?