About KUSD
HistoryA Brief History of the Kenosha Unified School District No. 1The independent governmental body known as the Kenosha Unified School The first schoolhouse was built in 1837 as the second structure on Main Street (now 56th Street and 6th Avenue in Kenosha). In 1838, William Bullen built a frame structure located on the site of the former Weiskopf School (50th Street and Sheridan Road) that became the first regular academy in 1839. That same year, the community designated land for use as a “common school,” forerunner of the public schools. A wooden structure was built on the site and was used until 1845. In 1849, a new building was completed and opened its doors to 400 students on July 31. Also in 1845, Col. Michael Frank moved to Southport (as Kenosha was known) and became editor of its newspaper. As early as 1840, Frank advocated “free schools,” another forerunner of the public school system. In 1843, he introduced the first bill in the Wisconsin territorial legislature to establish schools. While it didn’t pass at the territorial level, a law authorizing the establishment of free schools within the limits of Southport did pass in 1845, paving the way for the establishment of public schools in what would soon be called Kenosha. In 1890, the foundation was laid for a secondary school where the present Reuther Central High School stands. “It is impossible to measure the influence of Kenosha in shaping the educational policy of other cities and villages as they opened their secondary schools,” one historian has said. Another educator having a profound effect on the development of the Kenosha public school system, and public schools throughout the nation, was Mary D. Bradford who served the Kenosha schools as a teacher then superintendent from 1878 through 1894, and again from 1910 through 1921, in the interim helping Wisconsin establish its The Kenosha Unified School District, after being operated as a part of city government, became a fiscally independent governmental unit in 1967 and continues to serve residents of the City of Kenosha, Village of Pleasant Prairie, and Town of Somers in southeastern Wisconsin, specifically eastern Kenosha County. It is bound by the Illinois border to the south, the Racine County line to the north, Lake Michigan to the east, and Interstate Highway 94 to the west. This includes approximately 122,333 residents (2000 U.S. Census figures). The Kindergarten through Grade 12 public school system has a total 2006-2007 school year enrollment of 22,585 students. The Kenosha Unified School District No. 1 consists of 5 high schools (grades 9-12), 6 middle schools (grades 6-8), 24 elementary schools (K-5), 1 elementary annex building, 6 charter schools, 1 special program school, and 1 central district office for a total of 43 buildings containing approximately 3.4 million square feet of floor space on 515 acres, plus 129 acres of land at the state Bong Recreation Area and 4 sites for future schools totaling another 100 acres. In 1994, by referendum, the District became what is known in Wisconsin as a common school district that is required by law to hold a meeting of all electors annually. The school district still retains the title “Kenosha Unified School District No. 1" even though it is no longer, under Wisconsin law, a “unified school district”. It is still a fiscally independent governmental unit with a 2002-2003 school year budget of over $161 million. Harold R. Maurer served as Superintendent of Schools from 1949 through 1967 when the school district became independent of city government and instead was a unified school district serving three municipalities. Donald W. Smitley served as Superintendent of Schools from 1967 through 1969. Otto F. Huettner served as Superintendent of Schools from 1970 through 1979. Dr. John J. Hosmanek served as Superintendent of Schools from 1979 through 1989. Dr. Anthony F. Bisciglia served as Superintendent of Schools from 1989 through 1995. Joseph T. Mangi served as Interim |
About KUSD
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