Racine Unified Edging Closer to a Decision on Offering In-Person Instruction

Jan. 11, 2021 10:20p; Correction made Jan 14 on when some special ed students are to return. 

(WGTD)---Unlike public schools in Kenosha, Racine Unified has been in an all-virtual mode because of the coronavirus since the beginning of the school year.

With the number of cases having dropped in recent weeks, that may soon change.

The district has already announced that some special education students will be able to return January 25th. Within the next two weeks, RUSD is expected to announce whether the rest of the enrollment will be able to return. 

At Monday night's school board meeting, board member Scott Coey said he hopes the district isn't moving too fast. "I would hate for us to get to the point when the vaccine is becoming available for us to throw in the towel right at the finish line when we've been keeping everyone safe," he said.

Coey, who's employed as a teacher in Kenosha Unified, has been highly critical of KUSD's decision to offer in-person instruction as an option right from the start of the school year. On the advice of the health department, the in-school option was suspended at Thanksgiving break, but resumed for some grades this week, and will again be offered as an option for high school students before the month is out.

Two Kenosha Unified staff members believe they contracted COVID-19 in school building and brought the disease home to their spouses, both of whom eventually died. 

When or if  in-person instruction returns in Racine Unified this year, virtual instruction will always be offered as an option, according to district superintendent Eric Gallien. 

Earlier in the day, the City of Racine Health Department lifted a prohibition on in-school instruction, effective at the beginning of next week.

The department also loosened some restrictions on restaurants and stores. 

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