Board Work Session

The Racine Unified School District Board held a work session on June 2, 2026, primarily discussing the upcoming summer school program and a significant policy decision regarding student cell phone use during school hours. The summer school update covered dates, sites, curriculum, and intervention programs, including reading and math interventions for elementary and middle school students. A major portion of the meeting focused on deliberations about implementing a stricter cell phone policy, debating between a bell-to-bell ban versus restricting phone use only during instructional time. Board members discussed the logistical challenges, costs (including potential purchase of Yonder pouches for phone storage), enforcement issues, and the impact on staff workload and student behavior. They considered phased implementation starting with middle schools and emphasized the need for community engagement and clear communication. The board planned to vote on the cell phone policy direction at an upcoming business meeting, with the superintendent tasked to develop rollout plans based on the board's guidance. Additionally, the board reviewed supplemental pay and salary schedule advancements for staff, with a total cost of approximately $2.27 million, noting that no board vote was required on this item at the session.