100 Parents And Staff Attend Emotional Meeting About Redistricting

There are 2.5 million reasons why Wind Point and Goodland elementary schools should be closed, according to Ann Laing, acting superintendent of the Racine Unified School District.

$2.5 million, that is. But the proposal to close Wind Point Elementary and Goodland Elementary didn’t set well with those who attended a listening session hosted by the Racine Unified School District on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012 at Wind Point Elementary.

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At the meeting, Laing told about 100 staff, parents and students that she'd rather not have to close the schools. Still, she laid out the administration’s rationale behind the proposal, but the district’s financial problems have remained an issue.

"I'd rather have it (money) drop from the sky," she said.

The reality is the district is facing a $6.5 million shortfall.  And although Laing said she didn’t want to close the schools, this option is much more palatable than laying off more teachers.

But even still, that might happen too, she warned.

“It’s up to the Board to make a decision about what they want to do with this, but they need to make a decision because if they don’t make this decision soon, logistically we can’t make changes for the next school year,” Laing said.

Check back on Wednesday when we'll have a more complete story from this meeting.