KENOSHA, Wis. (Monday, Nov. 11, 2024) – The recent incident at Roosevelt Elementary School has affected all schools in Kenosha Unified, particularly the Roosevelt and Mahone school communities. The district acknowledges the concerns of families and staff and wants to reassure the community that student and staff safety has always been, and will remain, a top priority.
Kenosha Unified Superintendent Dr. Jeff Weiss encourages students needing support processing this incident to contact their school counselor. The district is committed to providing resources and ensuring all students have access to someone they can speak with if they need support.
The district is also undertaking a comprehensive review of its safety procedures and protocols to identify potential areas for improvement. This evaluation is being conducted internally and in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies. Any changes that can be implemented quickly will be done immediately, while those requiring significant resources will be presented to the Board of Education for further consideration.
Before the incident, administrators received concerns regarding images of airsoft guns. These images did not include threats or other concerning content, and these concerns were thoroughly investigated. Had any threats been made, administration would have notified law enforcement in line with the district’s standard threat assessment process. It is important to note that owning airsoft guns is not illegal. In the past incidents, no district rules or laws had been broken, such as having look-alike weapons on district property or threatening bodily harm.
The district urges families to emphasize the importance of “see something, say something” with their children. Community vigilance is vital in maintaining safe schools, and students and families are encouraged to report any concerns through the Speak Up, Speak Out platform.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support and trust of our families as we navigate this situation together,” said Kenosha Unified Superintendent Dr. Jeff Weiss. “Please know that we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of every student in our schools.”