Jan. 21, 2024 9a
(WGTD)---The Kenosha School Board will review Tuesday night a $1.65 million plan to convert an elementary school into a middle school under the district's 'right-sizing' plan. It'll also consider overhauling the district's book-banning policy and will review cost-reduction measures.
The new library materials policy tightens up, clarifies and offers greater specificity to what's already in place. A committee appointed to review the appropriateness of library books and other materials would only be part of the process.
Instead, an "initial decision-maker" would be appointed to guide the review process through a series of steps that would be back-stopped by the district's superintendent.
A re-worked review committee would exclude citizens. An appeal process is outlined.
Complainants must be either parents or district residents who have reviewed the objectionable material in it's entirety and just can't cite a problematic passage or two.
No matter what, parents retain the authority to direct the district from prohibiting their kids from accessing certain materials.
In other action, the board will examine a plan to convert Edward Bain into a school that's designed to accommodate Washington Middle School enrollment. The board last month voted to close Washington and transfer students to the elementary school, a much newer building that sits on a larger tract of land and has air conditioning.
The transformation plan is three pages long and would be accomplished in part by the district's skilled trades crew.
Major components include modifying the building's gym to accommodate middle school music performances, buying a removable stage extension and adding bleachers. A music wing would be created and locker rooms added. Modifications would be made to the building's secure entrance.
Also Tuesday night, the board is expected to discuss cost-reduction provisions in addition to the $9.5 million in savings that's expected to be achieved through downsizing. A major component is a $1 million reduction in staff at the John Hosmanek Educational Support Center that's expected to touch "virtually" every department in the central office building.
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