Vote YES on the KUSD Referendum February 18th

The operational referendum for Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) , scheduled for February 18, 2025, is a necessary step to address the district’s significant financial challenges. The referendum seeks community approval to increase the district’s revenue limit by $23 million annually through the 2029-30 school year.

If approved, this funding will:

• Address a projected $19+ million budget deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year and beyond.
  Protect class sizes, programs, and staff positions
  Improve academic proficiency in reading and math by 12% through enhanced instruction and state-mandated programs like Act 20.
  Retain high-quality staff essential to providing exceptional education.
• Implement key upgrades to enhance the safety and security of students and staff, including 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.

KUSD is facing significant financial challenges due to rising costs, an outdated state funding system, and insufficient state aid to public schools in recent years. Despite efforts to manage the budget by closing schools and reducing staff, the district still faces a $19+ million deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year and beyond.

Without additional funding, the district will struggle to maintain:

• Reasonable class sizes.
• Vital academic and extracurricular programs.
• Retention of high-quality staff.
• Compliance with state-mandated education programs.
• Equitable access to neighborhood schools. 

The referendum offers a solution to address this deficit, maintain quality education, and implement much-needed safety and security enhancements across the district. It ensures that Kenosha Unified can continue providing students with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed while meeting state requirements and community expectations.

The election for the Kenosha Unified School District’s operational referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025

If the referendum is approved, the estimated cost to taxpayers would be an additional $1.25 per $1,000 of equalized property value. For example:

• A home valued at $250,000 would see an annual property tax increase of $313, (approximately $26 per month).

This cost reflects the necessary funding to address the district’s $19+ million budget deficit, maintain quality education, and enhance safety and security measures.

Voters will see the following question on their ballots on Tuesday, February 18:

Shall the Kenosha School District No. 1, Kenosha County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes by $23,000,000 per year beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and ending with the 2029-2030 school year, for non-recurring purposes and consisting of operational expenses and debt service for safety and security improvements?

The approved referendum will enable KUSD to ensure  all students have access to exceptional educational opportunities and are prepared for success in college, careers, and their communities. This plan is designed to make KUSD Wisconsin’s top-performing urban district by fostering equity, safety, and a resource-rich learning environment.

With the referendum’s support, KUSD will:

1. Increase the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced in reading and math by 12% by spring 2027.
2. Develop balanced annual budgets through an inclusive and transparent process involving the school board, staff, administration, and the community.
3. Retain and recruit highly qualified educators essential for delivering a world-class education.

This funding will provide the necessary resources to achieve these goals and deliver long-term benefits for Kenosha’s students, families, and communities.

Public schools are the heart of a strong community, and investing in them benefits everyone. Here’s why:

• Schools shape our future leaders. They provide a place for children to learn, grow, and become the next generation of innovators and community members. Every student deserves access to quality education, which this referendum helps guarantee. .
• Quality schools drive economic growth. Businesses often choose communities with strong schools, ensuring a well-prepared workforce and boosting Kenosha’s economic future.
• Schools influence property values. Families seek neighborhoods with great schools, increasing housing demand and stabilizing property values.

Supporting this referendum goes beyond funding education—it strengthens Kenosha as a destination community  for children, families, and businesses. By bridging the state funding gap with the operational referendum, our community is providing all of our students with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in the spaces in which they live and learn. 

We are a community of educators, students, families, and supporters dedicated to providing equitable  educational experiences for all. Our mission is to foster a safe, inclusive, and resource-rich environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, we are committed to building a strong future for our community by investing in education, innovation, and success for all.

 It is time for us to invest in the future of public education in Kenosha, so that we as a community might reap the benefits of that investment for years to come. Say yes to investing in and revitalizing our Kenosha public schools and supporting a referendum effort that ensures we can teach, learn, and live in the schools and communities we deserve.