Racine Unified Parents Will Have School Choice This Fall

School choice is coming to the Racine Unified School District, after the Joint Committee on Finance passed a measure June 2, that will help some parents pay to send their children to private schools.

The measure will be included in the full state budget for the 2011-13 biennium and is expected to pass the state Legislature later this month. The program will be open to parents throughout the district.

In a press release sent out shortly after the vote, Representative Robin Vos (R-Rochester), co-chair of the committee, said, "Parents deserve to have the opportunity to select the best school for their children. Racine area parents want a choice program and I’m excited that we’re bringing it to our area.”

All RUSD students entering ninth grade are eligible for scholarships, as are current private school students.

An initial 250 scholarships will be available for the 2011-2012 school year; 500 in the 2012-2013 school year, and an unlimited number for the years following. Private schools that meet eligibility requirements, no matter their location, can participate.

Qualifying income levels will be set at 300 percent of the federal poverty level, but if more applications are received than there are available slots, then low-income families will get preference.