Kenosha Schools Seek $115M Referendum to Address Budget Gaps and Boost Safety

KENOSHA, Wis. (WRJN) — The Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) Board of Education has approved a $115 million referendum for the February 18, 2025 ballot, addressing financial and security concerns.

The measure proposes allocating $23 million annually over five years, with the majority aimed at closing the district’s budget deficit. About $3 million per year would be dedicated to security upgrades, according to Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss.

The estimated initial property tax impact is $1.25 per year on every $1,000 of property value. The owner of a home worth $250,000 would have a property tax increase of $313 per year.

The decision follows a November 7 incident at Roosevelt Elementary School, where a 13-year-old student attempted to enter with a suspicious backpack.

If passed, the referendum would fund controlled entrances at seven schools, update cameras, replace exterior doors, install shatter-resistant window film, and add more card readers.

The district has already hired entrance monitors for schools without controlled access.

The referendum also aims to assist in hiring add reading and math specialists, expanding course offerings, and increasing pay for educational support staff.