KENOSHA, Wis. (Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024) – Tonight, the Kenosha Unified School District Board of Education voted to place an operational referendum question on the ballot for February 18, 2025.
If approved by voters, the measure would allow the district to increase its revenue limit by $23 million per year, through the 2029-30 school year. These funds would help balance the district’s budget and address the financial needs created by an outdated state school funding formula, a lack of state aid to public schools in recent years, and rising costs due to inflation.
“Our schools have proudly served generations of students in our community,” said KUSD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Weiss. “However, our district is facing the same financial challenges as most others across Wisconsin. An operational referendum is necessary to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to prepare for college and/or careers with the support of highly qualified educators in a learning environment that is resource rich, safe and welcoming.”
KUSD would use the funding provided through an approved referendum to implement its goal of increasing the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced in reading and math by 12%, while also moving forward with state-mandated programs, such as Act 20 and its science of reading practices, to enrich reading instruction and increase student proficiency.
Referendum funds would also support retaining high-quality staff and substantially reducing the district’s structural deficit to protect class sizes, vital programs, and staff positions.
Additionally, KUSD would look to enhance safety and security by upgrading controlled building entrances, modernizing surveillance systems, reinforcing exterior doors, installing shatter-resistant window film, upgrading digital video recorders, and implementing additional critical safety measures.
If the operational referendum is approved, it would have an estimated initial property tax impact of $1.25 per year on every $1,000 of equalized property value in our community. For example, the owner of a home worth $250,000 would see a property tax increase of $313 per year (or $26 per month).
KUSD’s financial needs are due to factors largely beyond the district’s control. In fact, had state funding kept pace with inflation in recent years, the district would have about $31 million in its budget and would not need to seek a referendum.
Furthermore, as expenses like utilities, health insurance, transportation, and salaries continue to increase, KUSD will face more difficult budget challenges. The first of these challenges is a projected $19 million budget deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year alone. If this is not addressed, the district and board will need to move forward with reductions to programs, services, and staffing.
In the coming weeks, the district will share more information about the district’s financial needs and the proposed solution on the February 18 ballot. Updates can be followed at kusd.edu/referendum.