[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6278091,"mediaKeyId","2643069-36fb5d82e1f15d21a1b862be83be20fa","parentId",2643069,"title","WASB consultant reviews Kenosha Unified board survey; culture and planning emerge as focus areas","audioSeconds",3186,"startMs",3317000,"endMs",6503000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643069-36fb5d82e1f15d21a1b862be83be20fa&start=3317&end=6503","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643069-36fb5d82e1f15d21a1b862be83be20fa/thumbnail_3317000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6278091/Wisconsin/WASB-consultant-reviews-Kenosha-Unified-board-survey-culture-and-planning-emerge-as-focus-areas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278091-5cc5f840462a7f48d9f0ffef31952faa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775515915&Signature=f3EC-R6WxkwsVsfwz5iUFWK~6oaKHCdQZfIOEWIyj3ykIxM65CSANsadzlBScAxF7PJ8NkKayWBk0rz1cyJwUqLwyJbP4KP6UyrqCdj8Rz99Pw5JIZHuC5BtqG-Y7lkICay1Xt8nxFkIKL1fxZ2b4rAbaaQbuuG2qCbMKC9ZIb1F0VTZ7B29ItDUIfvdx7g1So7rbEOmUpa3xnu4RBviVSfu0yf667AciKrukVCz4NryP4pRpl3xPPv3V2FVt4lznrHBBgbMfWZEMGmWyYgrGV2H0HEdCGpzMVvN5oNdaCqVFDfa7a22mUsDEHvdVglHyq~rS1gJ4wmo3okLfY~Jxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenosha School District","date","2025-03-14T12:24:30Z","article","Kelly Thompson, a consultant from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB), presented the results of the district's board self-assessment at the March 25 agenda-review meeting, identifying strengths and areas for improvement and urging the trustees to choose focused board goals.

Thompson said the district scored highest in data-driven decision-making and community engagement categories and lowest in culture, planning, district operations and policy. She recommended the board take the assessment data, pick one or two board-level goals and then schedule follow-up work such as calendarizing regular reviews of capital planning, curriculum cycles and policy updates.

The presentation included a longitudinal comparison to the board's 2023 results and a comparison to statewide averages; six of nine categories improved since 2023, Thompson said, but culture and planning remained weak relative to the state. She suggested practical steps to reduce variation in board members' understanding—sharing an internal calendar of recurring agenda items, orienting new trustees, and setting agreed norms and measurable board objectives.

Members raised strongly worded concerns and described strained interpersonal dynamics. Trustee Landry urged transparency and stronger community outreach after the failed referendum. Trustee Tunney and others criticized some board colleagues for perceived uncooperative behavior; the transcript records heated comments over attendance, norms and the board's internal culture. Several trustees expressed support for a culture goal tied to maintaining high expectations for students and respectful public conduct.

Superintendent Dr. Weiss and Thompson recommended scheduling a board work session or retreat with all trustees to convert the survey findings into two or three concrete board goals and an annual calendar for recurring reviews. Thompson said the district could assign specific items (for example, capital planning or curriculum adoption cycles) to months on a calendar so trustees know when to expect reports and when to prepare questions.

The board did not adopt formal board-level goals during the meeting but discussed placing a goal-setting item on the next board agenda so all members could participate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special School Board Meeting, Agenda Review - March 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Kelly Thompson, a consultant from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, presented the results of the district's board self-assessment at the March 25 agenda-review meeting, identifying strengths and areas for improvement and urging the trustees to choose focused board goals.","taxTitle","Kenosha School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",13049,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278095,"District to seek $2.68 million Head Start continuation grant serving 330 students",46,41000,87000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643069-36fb5d82e1f15d21a1b862be83be20fa&start=41&end=87","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643069-36fb5d82e1f15d21a1b862be83be20fa/thumbnail_41000.jpg","/articles/6278095/Wisconsin/District-to-seek-268-million-Head-Start-continuation-grant-serving-330-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278095-465f238412abb6404a47697244bfe487/orig.mp4?Expires=1775515915&Signature=hK4pGZz-~6G7zm0FDxlo2qfbqk9L3S3SWw4P8Cn8tQV22ATI11pwhaZl~-QYcnsNp6vvvSGsXoRHn14hvryT5FLAZIgZJ46RSDh2hNKqghZ3849rtOA2CNL29CTen1ShiMyxElxLT4NadhAtl6~V0LnM0VACvMB5-DsArDZKijCrzTx4Nnr0PFk7CPR5OUVWRE8~m0E6euezSHe0GDfC7hfTDdH2n1Njia4qJVtPWkipknzRs5SO6tZsvpYhq7UGiVic0FHzxl2B~fCHEUivX7Ot5g1dj8vFwtH8YIj1yOrJB1CYovNzLGV~JKpLmiHRN8ugpgf~BWxddJGCtCjrig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kenosha Unified School District staff said the district will submit its annual Head Start continuation grant application to fund the 2025–26 program year, seeking $2,681,000.87 to serve 330 children.

At the meeting, a district presenter said the continuation grant request is similar to previous annual applications and that this year’s proposal includes an additional half-day classroom at Bose to expand local access. The presenter described the request as a routine, yearly submission for continuation funding.

No formal vote on the grant submission was recorded in the transcript; staff indicated the request follows the district’s typical grant application process and would be submitted as part of routine administration.","District staff said the grant application would request $2,681,000.87 to continue Head Start services for 330 students in the 2025–26 program year and add a half-day classroom at Bose.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278100,"Board hears sharply divided views on instructional coaches as budget options",50,1006000,1056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643069-36fb5d82e1f15d21a1b862be83be20fa&start=1006&end=1056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643069-36fb5d82e1f15d21a1b862be83be20fa/thumbnail_1006000.jpg","/articles/6278100/Wisconsin/Board-hears-sharply-divided-views-on-instructional-coaches-as-budget-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278100-2d7add7a22146a6b981dd08b05eaee12/orig.mp4?Expires=1775515915&Signature=Fb3VtbqOLCNUr-guvPng41HSqMVFrEV9SnvhXzazGo415mtHHXRkCaneS4eqOEG5DAnOwJ~L4A0dvGpSKwUfzPcDN10H9kWuGAm8ZZ4Wi-djDSIRlzEaduqjENga4hFo0guTrk~iPRkm61pzrz1IYHQlWHvS4LYQq7gVIWBtSPQv4RmehoMtR4yHNn2HWH6DatRa2dYBKdArbfv46UjBGHCE6gla3f3BeaQQb5b9ArFMkkcUKK0DR5ASO8rK0q8DnvKVjpGaT5AzH~p4cs-9zvHotdyMddlQPqO1HGmokEIFeJKGmfKqisfc47nZVp4plEuVbonz3Gh--ImqLPMtkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kenosha Unified School District board members debated the role and cost of instructional coaches during a budget-focused meeting on March 25, with some trustees urging cuts or reassignment and others defending the positions as key to improving classroom practice.

Board member Bob Tunney said cutting instructional coaches and moving them into classrooms would yield major savings. “The value what we're spending on instructional coaches is gonna be somewhere in the ballpark of $4,000,000,” he said during the session, and suggested redeploying coaches into teaching roles as a straightforward way to reduce expenses.

Staff and other board members pushed back. Miss Bridal described coaches’ day-to-day work: “Coaches work with teachers to implement tier 1 instruction and do a multitude of other things related to curriculum, assessment and instruction. They are the one-to-one with teachers. When I as a teacher want to improve my instructional practice, I am coached by my coach then.” Dr. Weiss cautioned that eliminating coaching duties could increase principals’ workloads and risk gaps in academic and behavioral supports.

Board members acknowledged variation across schools. Trustees said some instructional coaches perform administrative or non-instructional tasks at particular sites; several called for a formal evaluation process. Board member Christine Schmeling asked how the district measures coaches’ effectiveness and pointed to salary ranges for coaches under the teacher contract; district staff replied that coaches are in the teacher bargaining group and that pay varies by placement and experience.

District staff said there are approximately 30 district-funded coaches (with additional positions funded through other sources) and that coaches operate at elementary, middle and high schools. Staff described coaches as central to professional learning, assessment administration and curriculum rollouts, including recent adoption work such as decodable reading materials and related professional development.

Several board members asked staff to produce clearer evaluation criteria and data on how instructional coaches affect classroom outcomes as part of the broader budget review. Dr. Weiss said reductions of this magnitude would shift responsibilities to principals and others and could affect academic and behavioral supports across schools.","Board members and staff debated whether to retain about 30 district-funded instructional coaches—positions the district says cost roughly $4 million—after the failed referendum; some board members called for evaluations and redeployment, while others said coaches are essential to instruction and should be preserved.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278104,"Kenosha Unified outlines cuts, staffing moves and program holds after failed referendum",2193,367000,2560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643069-36fb5d82e1f15d21a1b862be83be20fa&start=367&end=2560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643069-36fb5d82e1f15d21a1b862be83be20fa/thumbnail_367000.jpg","/articles/6278104/Wisconsin/Kenosha-Unified-outlines-cuts-staffing-moves-and-program-holds-after-failed-referendum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278104-3ffd61566d6e22b4299c31966d6300db/orig.mp4?Expires=1775515915&Signature=EAJRCtRhP77Wh4YVNgA7sqrC~0j8ThNYvql-UcdNSTzCWJaCUMNY6XFBErly6LeSm9k-UoBCN5NspG1UFoOI38vhNQuO~zPWN7iYlP2eAEUgQFQE9pxL1sVSkgEaYHGGJJ0nezMNf1XetKlelh6zWBQzTdBoRBk1C6JiDpTFK68HS1~qHCbuJVTY1RdpxazxV8Vykd-0gGukKnaxq-GSPzGgopwV9uKwi5nk~CKoSqyc80z4d8ZNrs5J39CgEIUh8T-azFrsVulkfFQ98HDcyqqZ7QYnNRxhyZXCqAy04LrHaWfVJLX3Gs8D9CaO0rB9BcAtvSKuysQsG~TEaX56KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kenosha Unified School District officials presented a revised budget plan on March 25, saying the failure of a recent referendum will require program and staffing changes and the deferral of several capital projects.

Superintendent Dr. Weiss told the board the district now projects about $3.5 million in additional revenue next year, in part because state aid changes and updated enrollment estimates. At the same time, the district is forecasting a decline of roughly 550 students, which shifts some aid timing and will reduce enrollment-related funding in later years.

The budget review grouped items into three categories: long-term holds, short-term holds and reductions. Long-term hold items include planned controlled-entrance upgrades, security-hardware updates and “high school prep time,” which the district said it will not fund in the near term. Short-term hold items include restoring the technology refresh and major maintenance budgets; the district proposed reducing major maintenance from $2,000,000 to $1,000,000 for the coming year. Reductions under consideration include staffing adjustments, program cuts and larger class sizes in some grades if savings cannot be found.

Dr. Weiss said the district had previously presented the referendum framing to explain the budget shortfall under a scenario in which the listed items were funded; he cautioned the public about misinformation. “We were not saying we had a 19,000,000 or a $23,000,000 deficit. Words matter here,” he said, explaining that the $23 million figure represented the cost of a broad set of items the referendum would have addressed, not an immediate operating gap.

The presentation showed the district adopted an $800,000 deficit budget for the current year and had earlier identified a structural deficit in the $1.8 million range. Officials said they had also set aside about $1 million in case certain state aid exemptions were reversed. The referendum scenario had included roughly $25.8 million in additional expenses versus about $3.5 million in added revenue, producing the higher shortfall that formed the basis for the ballot question.

The district also cited inflationary and contractual cost increases that affect baseline spending: UnitedHealthcare premiums were estimated to rise to 9.9 percent (down from an earlier projection of 11 percent), dental rates were projected to rise about 6 percent, and transportation contract increases will add further pressure.

Board members and staff discussed possible savings ideas presented during the meeting. The district said it would examine non-classroom staff reassignments, freeze some recognition/retention budgets, and pursue attrition for administrative, supervisory and technical (AST) positions rather than immediate layoffs. Converting Indian Trail’s academy model to a “pathways” structure was estimated to save about $500,000 through lower transportation and staffing costs, district staff said.

The budget presentation noted existing federal ESSER-funded items that the district will need to re-fund locally when grant money expires. The district emphasized the projection is early in the budget cycle and could change depending on the state budget and other variables.

Board members requested follow-up detail on specific staffing categories and program impacts. Several board members urged that K–3 classroom sizes be protected where possible. Superintendent Dr. Weiss said if a districtwide pay freeze is adopted it would apply to all salary increases recently approved, including his own contract increase.

Clarifying details and next steps: district staff said they will continue reviewing support-staff groups (ESP/ASP), administrative vacancies for possible non-replacement, user fees for co-curricular activities, and potential reductions or restructuring in fine arts and athletics. Officials said they will return to the board with more granular savings options as staffing reviews and state-budget developments continue.","Superintendent Dr. Weiss and district staff presented a budget update showing $3.5 million in new revenue, enrollment declines and a slate of short- and long-term hold items after voters rejected a referendum; the district proposes halving major maintenance funding and recommends a wage freeze among other measures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

WASB consultant reviews Kenosha Unified board survey; culture and planning emerge as focus areas

District to seek $2.68 million Head Start continuation grant serving 330 students

Board hears sharply divided views on instructional coaches as budget options

Kenosha Unified outlines cuts, staffing moves and program holds after failed referendum