KUSD Moves Forward With Potential Referendum Process

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — The Kenosha Unified School District Board of Education voted Tuesday to move forward with developing a potential operational referendum for February 2025, following the presentation of survey results showing moderate community support for additional school funding.

The board’s decision came after reviewing results from a community survey conducted between September 25 and October 11, which garnered 4,273 responses.

The survey, conducted by the Donovan Group, showed approximately 51.5% of weighted respondents would support the lowest proposed funding scenario of roughly $19 million.

“We exceeded our goal of 4,000 respondents,” said Tracy Donovan, director of survey research at the Donovan Group, who presented the findings to the board.

The survey tested three funding scenarios, with support declining as the proposed tax impact increased.

Key community concerns identified in the survey included:
– Overall taxpayer burden
– Current economic conditions and inflation
– Questions about state and federal funding
– Requests for program prioritization
– Calls for increased transparency

The board authorized administration to work with Quarles & Brady law firm to develop sample referendum questions, which will be presented at the November 12 Committee of the Whole meeting.

The board plans to vote on a final referendum resolution at its November 19 regular meeting.

Board member Todd Price, who made the motion to proceed, emphasized the importance of including teacher preparation time in the referendum planning.

However, some board members expressed concern about the survey results and timing.

“We’ve had five months to prepare this, and this is what we got,” said board member Tony Tierney, who voted against the motion. “For me, that’s not enough to go any further than we are.”

If approved in November, the district would launch an informational campaign running through the proposed February 18, 2025 referendum date.

District officials noted that February timing is crucial for staffing decisions and schedule planning for the 2025-26 school year.

The district currently receives approximately two-thirds of its funding from state aid, with local property taxes making up the remainder of its revenue limit.