Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) is publicly criticizing the Racine Unified School District Board for wasting time and resources supporting drivers licenses for illegal aliens rather than improving the academic performance of their schools.
Wanggaard’s comments came after RUSD voted 4-3 on Monday night to advocate for the change. “Racine Unified is struggling with behavioral, safety issues and a poor academic record despite having record funding,” said Wanggaard. “The Board is more interested scoring political points by trying to tackle national and international issues rather than focusing on the serious issues at home.”
Read the Racine Journal Times article about the RUSD vote.
In a press release, Wanggaard noted that RUSD has a history of poor academic performance, never receiving above a 63 of a possible 100 points on the state report card, or “meeting few expectations.”
Of RUSD’s three main high schools, two “Fail to Meet Expectations” and one “Meets Few Expectations,” explained Wanggaard of the state’s school scorecard. Of the five RUSD middle schools, three “Fail to Meet Expectations” and two “Meet Few Expectations,” he added.
There are also seven elementary schools failing in the two lowest categories on the state report card. In addition, Wanggaard noted in October, one middle school was described as “in crisis” and “unsafe for staff, students, parents and visitors.” At that school, 15 staff members had been injured by students in the first six weeks of the school year.
“It’s no wonder RUSD consistently underperforms when the Board addresses issues like driver’s licenses rather than the real challenges facing the district.” Wanggaard said. “Giving illegal aliens driver’s licenses will not improve one test score or make one student pay attention in class. Unbelievably, the school board wastes time and resources on that rather than address the problems in the classroom that teachers face every day.”