KENOSHA, Wis. (Friday, Feb. 25, 2022) – Recent advertisements and news articles have led to questions surrounding the development of the new KTEC high school. This new high school is an independent charter school authorized by the University of Wisconsin – it is not part of the Kenosha Unified School District. As such, it is neither staffed nor supported by KUSD. Families who elect to send their children to KTEC high school will not be eligible to participate in district programming, such as athletics, fine arts, and others currently afforded them through KUSD.
KUSD has multiple instrumentality charters that fall under the umbrella of KUSD and are supported by many operational services and provide families access to the same great programs and support as boundary school students. KUSD’s current charter schools include The Brompton School, Dimensions of Learning Academy, Harborside Academy, Kenosha eSchool and KTEC (grades 4K-8), all of which are run, led and supported by KUSD employees.
In 2020, district administration was approached by our KTEC (4K-8) leadership about an expansion of KTEC (4K-8) to include a high school. When reviewing such proposals, the main objective is to determine if the proposal fulfills a gap in current offerings for the students and families of KUSD. Due to KUSD’s ever-growing boundary school technology education program, specialized STEM programming at LakeView, and focus on IT/computer science, biomed and engineering/manufacturing at Indian Trail High School and Academy, administration denied the request for expansion knowing it is already meeting the needs of students in a variety of ways.
KUSD attempted to work collaboratively with our KTEC (4K-8) leadership to expand the KTEC (4K-8) model within the district by offering the opportunity to open a KTEC High School choice program at one of its boundary high schools in an effort to provide a continued pathway for existing KTEC students, and to expand upon the district’s already extensive technical education offerings. Despite the district’s efforts, they chose to pursue an independent charter school.
“KUSD continuously reviews its course offerings and programs to ensure student needs are met, along with those of our community partners who are looking for certain skill sets upon graduation, whether they are entering the workforce or continuing their education,” said Interim Superintendent Bethany Ormseth. “In addition to a robust academic program, we pride ourselves on offering some of the most renowned fine arts and athletic programs in the state. We have the finest educators who focus on educating the whole child in KUSD, and that is something we are extremely proud of.”