KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Unified School District’s (KUSD) school board has placed a $115 million referendum on the February ballot to address financial deficits and security concerns across the district. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Kenosha Unified School District’s (KUSD) school board has placed a $115 million referendum on the February ballot to address financial deficits and security concerns across the district

  • The referendum proposes allocating $23 million annually over five years, with a majority of the money earmarked toward closing the district’s budget deficit

  • About $3 million would be put toward security upgrades each year, for five years, according to KUSD Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss

  • To expedite the safety upgrades, the district plans to secure a state loan, aiming to complete the installations within a year and repay the loan over five years. In the meantime, the district has hired entrance monitors to assist in screening visitors at schools without controlled access

The decision comes in the wake of a Nov. 7 incident at Roosevelt Elementary School, where a 13-year-old KUSD student attempted to enter the building with a suspicious backpack and duffel bag. Quick action by school staff prevented the student from gaining further entry, and a subsequent search of the student’s home revealed airsoft guns. Police later arrested the Mahone Middle School student in his home. He has been charged with making terroristic threats.

The incident struck the community and reignited debates over school safety. 

The referendum proposes allocating $23 million annually over five years, with a majority of the money earmarked toward closing the district’s budget deficit. About $3 million would be put toward security upgrades each year, for five years, according to KUSD Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss.

Weiss said the fund would primarily go toward installing controlled entrances at the seven schools that currently lack them.

Other safety improvements it would like to make include updating cameras, replacing exterior doors, installing shatter-resistant window film and adding more card readers.

“After that incident on November 7th, we did have quite a bit of outpouring from our school community and our families regarding safety,” Weiss said.

To expedite the upgrades, the district plans to secure a state loan, aiming to complete the installations within a year and repay the loan over five years. In the meantime, the district has hired entrance monitors to assist in screening visitors at schools without controlled access. 

But Weiss warned of potential consequences if the referendum fails. 

“If we don’t pass this referendum, that’s in danger because 80% of school districts funding comes in the form of staffing,” he said. 

Like many KUSD parents, Clarisse Stelzl said she views the referendum as a necessary measure. Stelzl has two kids who attend Roosevelt Elementary School.

“I don’t feel safe having my kids go here,” Stelzl shared.

For parents like Stelzl, who wonder if that referendum would be enough, the stakes are high. 

“It doesn’t sound like every school will be offered the things they make it seem are being offered,” Stelzl said. 

Related Stories