Kenosha Reporter

Kenosha Unified School District announced that, according to preliminary election results, the proposed operational referendum was not approved by voters on Tuesday, February 18. The announcement was made in a press release on February 19, 2025.

According to the press release, as a result of the referendum's failure, Kenosha Unified School District faces worsening budget challenges. The costs of utilities, health insurance, transportation, and salaries are expected to continue rising, surpassing any potential funding increases from the state. The district is anticipating a budget deficit of over $19 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year alone.

Had the referendum passed, it would have allowed the district to increase its state-imposed revenue limit by $23 million annually through the 2029-30 school year. Moving forward, the district's administrators and board members will have to make difficult decisions to address budget reductions. Additionally, the district is expected to face ongoing budget deficits in future school years.

"This outcome does not diminish our community’s strong support for our schools. Instead, it indicates that the proposed referendum was not the right solution at this time," said KUSD Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Weiss. "We appreciate our community’s engagement, thoughtful questions, and commitment to our students throughout this process. Unfortunately, we must now make difficult decisions regarding potential reductions to programs, services and staffing to ensure a balanced budget for the coming school year."

The Kenosha Unified School District, established in 1967, serves the City of Kenosha, Village of Pleasant Prairie, and the Town and Village of Somers in southeastern Wisconsin. It operates 16 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools, 3 charter schools, 3 choice schools, a specialty school, and a Head Start center. The district has a total enrollment of 19,069 students, with an annual operational expenditure of approximately $304 million. It employs 1,631 teachers and 1,365 hourly workers. The district's graduation rate stands at 87.4%, according to the district's website.