Kenosha Reporter

The Kenosha Unified Board of Education has decided to include an operational referendum question in the upcoming ballot scheduled for February 18, 2025. The decision was made on November 21, 2024, with the aim of addressing financial and educational challenges faced by the district.

If approved by voters, the referendum will allow the district to raise its revenue limit by $23 million annually until the end of the 2029-30 school year. The additional funds are intended for several initiatives: increasing student proficiency in reading and math, implementing state-mandated programs like Act 20, retaining high-quality staff, reducing structural deficits, and enhancing safety measures in schools.

The focus on school safety has intensified following a recent incident at Roosevelt Elementary School. "Following that incident, we have heard from families that all schools should have controlled entrances and other enhanced security measures," a statement noted. Approval of the referendum would facilitate these upgrades.

Financially, if passed, this initiative would mean an initial property tax impact estimated at $1.25 per year for every $1,000 of equalized property value. For instance, a homeowner with a property valued at $250,000 would experience an annual tax increase of $313.

Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) is grappling with similar financial issues as other Wisconsin districts due to what they describe as "an outdated and inequitable state funding formula." It is noted that had state funding matched inflation rates in recent years, KUSD might not have needed to propose this referendum.