News Update:  Kenosha Unified would start to phase out report cards, put an increased emphasis on virtual learning and at times group grade school students by ability rather than by age under a massive restructuring plan unveiled today. A framework was posted on the district's website.

The plan--referenced in brief comments by Superintendent Michele Hancock at this week's regularly-scheduled school board meeting-- is expected to be laid out in detail at a school board meeting scheduled for Feb.14th. It's driven in part by the dual goals of improving achievement levels and closing the next budget gap.

While some aspects are already in the process of being implemented, others provisions will need board approval, according to district spokesman Gary Vaillancourt. Although some teachers have complained that the plan was formulated without their input, Vaillancourt said teachers will be actively involved in vetting numerous details and in the implementation stage. 

The report card recommendation calls for eliminating mailed out report cards for all but final grades. Parents would be directed to keep monitoring their child's progress online. The proposal involving grade school students would group them by ability in learning groups called "families." In one of several time-savings moves designed to allow the district to take full advantage of technology, high school and middle school teachers would be encouraged to record their lectures using screen-capture software so students could watch them online outside of class.

As reported earlier this week by WGTD News, the plan also includes a call for closing at least one grade school.

Candidate forums: WGTD is involved in two candidate forums.

The first one will feature candidates for Racine School Board. It'll be held Tuesday evening February 7th starting at 6 at Mt. Pleasant Village Hall. The forum is co-sponsored by AOL Patch. The event will be scoped down and air as an Education Matters program the Saturday just before the primary election on Feb. 21st.

Then on Wednesday, Feb. 15th in the Biosciences building, WGTD will co-host a forum for Kenosha mayoral candidates and aldermanic candidates who face primary opponents. This event will begin at 6:30.

HD2 & HD3: Community Radio WGTD HD3 is adding new shows and hours of original programming all the time. Check out the line-up by clicking the HD3 tab above.

24/7 Jazz HD2 offers repeats of Saturday Night Bandstand and Classic Big Bands & Beyond, along a growing number of hours produced by volunteer hosts.

To receive these new channels, purchase an HD radio--they come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Go online or to such stores as Best Buy or Chester's Electronics in Kenosha. They're available at other outlets as well. Some can be hooked up to your existing stereo equipment. To chat, dial 564-3030. If you get voice mail, be sure to leave a message and your phone number. 

WGTD Noon Tunes: We've had a tremendous response to this new feature that highlights area musicians. The segment is embedded at the end of the WGTD Mid-Day News which . which airs Monday through Friday from noon to 12:30. If you're a musician, and have a professional-sounding recording of your work, please contact Dave McGrath, the segment's producer and host, at 262-564-3880. Or email Dave at mcgrathd@gtc.edu.