[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6102004,"mediaKeyId","2806125-8269a3330d8ec5ac6b6f69c2ee2dc6f7","parentId",2806125,"title","Kenosha district cites roughly $22 million shortfall after failed referendum; staff, teachers and community press board to protect classrooms","audioSeconds",8471,"startMs",414000,"endMs",8885000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806125-8269a3330d8ec5ac6b6f69c2ee2dc6f7&start=414&end=8885","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806125-8269a3330d8ec5ac6b6f69c2ee2dc6f7/thumbnail_414000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6102004/Wisconsin/Kenosha-district-cites-roughly-22-million-shortfall-after-failed-referendum-staff-teachers-and-community-press-board-to-protect-classrooms","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102004-7ab44e40db6f45d0a4248c63c3a35c22/orig.mp4?Expires=1777270976&Signature=bS1urAIsIL56L28Om7uYVLtjBms1UBOTHUjAs8ysk91sNbH~QwreuoS1EXyN~ngT-eipsup3c-1hwOniTTUKGKRXfbC9BOHM1-~EF0fg54gZ35~pLZRK2P1MUfxxeDTFF5zfB9J7lc3ptBawx~gZtxxX9qAhTnozlTq0j5-Wgo2DWsr3boqJUhGTsDT4tQi-i7Kq25gcg-58BHC-mhW3Yk8D65OSi7Ta8vrunqjjXKSWzJaUK1iBj2ubY-fCtplwhyrpfIxuYRnysi91NZlL9EBluGUJpSBG0eOHom5DWetTEDzL5ir~I7wWdVLoXccj-CUcnaY4vDML9GewIrMbNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenosha School District, WI","date","2025-03-28T07:57:51.63Z","article","Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss told the Kenosha Unified School District board on March 20 that the failure of a recent referendum has created “difficult budget decisions” for the coming school year and left the district facing a projected shortfall of about $22.4 million for 2025–26.

That deficit reflects a scenario administration presented that counts planned projects and security upgrades the referendum would have funded; with the ballot measure defeated, administrators are reclassifying or zeroing out items that had been counted in the ask. “We only had 3 and a half million dollars of revenue identified,” the district’s budget presenter, Mr. Hamden, said during the board’s budget update, adding that the district would still need to find about $4.4 million in reductions after removing referendum-funded items.

The funding gap has put a range of district proposals on the table: delaying or reducing a technology “refresh,” cutting or restructuring some nonclassroom and centrally funded positions through attrition, pausing nonessential facility projects and reconsidering curricular material purchases. Administration’s recommended short-term reductions include restoring only $500,000 of an originally proposed $2 million curriculum request and leaving staff compensation at $0 in the proposed scenario unless alternative revenue is found.

Why it matters: The shortfall threatens programs and staffing that teachers say are central to classroom instruction and student supports. At least a dozen teachers, union leaders and community members used the public‑comment portion of the meeting to urge the board to protect direct student services.

In public comment, teachers described the practical effects of the cuts under consideration. “Without a stable wage structure, highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals are forced to look to other districts,” said Amy Goldsmith, a teacher at Bradford High School. Rebecca Arnold, an instructional technology teacher, warned that eliminating instructional-technology teacher (ITT) positions and other specialists would leave staff without the expertise to implement district technology and professional development. “Who will become the expert on instructional programs used in classrooms?” Arnold asked.

Union leaders also urged different priorities. Catherine Andresiak Montemaro, identified as KEA president and a KUSD teacher, called for “strategic reductions” that keep cuts “as far away from the classroom as possible” and urged administrative pay freezes and nonclassroom reductions rather than classroom losses.

Administration and several public speakers urged caution about using reserve funds to cover ongoing operating costs. Mr. Hamden explained that fund balance is not identical to cash on hand and noted the district’s cash‑flow needs related to timing of state aids and federal grant reimbursements. He said some unassigned fund balance is used to manage cash flow and that spending reserves for recurring operations risks future short‑term borrowing and loss of investment income. “Fund balance does not equal cash,” he said.

Special education funding was also a focal point. Superintendent Weiss and others described ongoing advocacy at the state level to raise the special education reimbursement rate from the roughly 30–33% currently reflected in state budgets toward 60%; Weiss said such a change would be “a game changer” for KUSD and estimated roughly $13–14 million of additional revenue for the district if the state moved to 60% reimbursement.

Board members and administration stressed that the current presentation was informational and that no final decisions had been made. Several trustees acknowledged the emotional tenor of public comment and said the board would consider options that balance short‑term mitigation with long‑term fiscal stability. Trustee Bob Tierney later apologized for remarks about coaches that had upset some teachers and reiterated that the board does not directly cut staff lines—administration implements staffing changes.

The district’s list of possible adjustments under review includes: increasing class sizes where policy allows, restoring some staff to classrooms from nonclassroom roles as vacancies occur, reducing some support staffing, reviewing user fees for co‑curricular activities and exploring replacement or reduction of certain testing subscriptions. Administration provided an estimate that eliminating all district‑funded instructional coaches would save several million dollars, but public commenters argued such a cut would harm student outcomes and equity.

The board did not vote on any of the budget choices at the meeting; trustees were presented with the scenarios and were directed to continue review and public engagement as administration returns with formal recommendations.

Ending: The board set follow‑up work and pledged more detailed budget materials for the April meeting; meanwhile administrators said they would continue advocacy with the Joint Finance Committee and the governor’s office on state funding changes that could reduce the district’s gap.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular School Board Meeting - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss told the Kenosha Unified School District board on March 20 that the failure of a recent referendum has created “difficult budget decisions” for the coming school year and left the district facing a projected shortfall of about $22.4 million for 2025–26.","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},6101994,"Board approves consent agenda, Head Start grant and listed donations; adopts Cesar Chavez resolution",5423,4301000,9724000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806125-8269a3330d8ec5ac6b6f69c2ee2dc6f7&start=4301&end=9724","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806125-8269a3330d8ec5ac6b6f69c2ee2dc6f7/thumbnail_4301000.jpg","/articles/6101994/Wisconsin/Board-approves-consent-agenda-Head-Start-grant-and-listed-donations-adopts-Cesar-Chavez-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101994-d2799ae556bd53106b74083d909b3cc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1777270976&Signature=oiV60TWFJ1j50GMTu8G4oz-DeepFNUmcpMA6TXoOl8~IRkz0o3TZGErIFpcC3IeLjBpKBbJzpUGYZHNgA63i1dIrje1DoAAEHCwvHIbL9ZQUTZMtYaflRH8prNATbwLwwyKYfW~cY6QGRHYYpjXX6SVDBYe0L1bP~8SKL8kx132EuK0MVQZm8~OHooQ2S-hLjG4D0exieQ5UcKESsJ-IBOQrBjFUVdoJSUfwP1HsUJq1QSHTPnAkC~HMkY1-EOasDCMhPiqFftWYr-aJaSZEJt5SWYx5eIDzGi9YRZ7ZC4Xfgl8L0hzlAxZCtoz6kxzmzkds~FT33PsNarwvnw9cpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kenosha Unified School District board took several formal actions at its March 20 meeting: approving the consent agenda, authorizing submission and implementation of the 2025–26 Head Start federal grant, accepting listed donations and adopting a Cesar Chavez Day resolution. The capital projects package was tabled for later review.

Consent agenda: The board approved consent agenda items a, b and c by voice vote. The chair recorded the motion as passed by unanimous assent.

Head Start federal grant: Administration presented an annual request to submit and implement the Head Start federal grant for the 2025–26 school year in the amount of $2,681,000.87. A motion to approve the grant application and implementation was made and seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion passed.

Cesar Chavez resolution: The board adopted a resolution recognizing March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day and noting Chavez’s role organizing farm workers and advocating for safe and fair working conditions. The resolution passed after a motion and second.

Donations: The board accepted a donation from Lee Mechanicals Inc. of $752 for the Bradford High School boys soccer student activity account and approved the necessary budget adjustment and account establishment per board policy.

Capital projects plan: Separately, the board tabled the capital projects plan to the April meeting to allow administration to provide a prioritized line‑item list and bids for the projects.

Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes):
- Consent agenda (items a–c): approved (voice vote, unanimous).
- Head Start federal grant (2025–26), $2,681,000.87: approved (motion passed, unanimous recorded 'aye').
- Cesar Chavez Day resolution: approved (motion passed, unanimous recorded 'aye').
- Donation (Lee Mechanicals Inc., $752 to Bradford boys soccer): accepted (approved, unanimous recorded 'aye').
- Capital projects plan (major maintenance $1.5M package): tabled until April (motion passed, unanimous recorded 'aye').

Ending: Board minutes should record individual roll‑call tallies where required; the meeting video and staff records include the formal motions and the grant and donation documents referenced for administrative follow‑up.

","At its March 20 meeting the Kenosha Unified School District board approved the consent agenda, accepted a Head Start federal grant application for 2025–26 and approved a resolution recognizing Cesar Chavez Day; donations were accepted. The capital projects plan was tabled and will return in April.",{"_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},6102000,"Board tables $1.5 million capital projects plan after questions on scope and timing",933,4598000,5531000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2806125-8269a3330d8ec5ac6b6f69c2ee2dc6f7&start=4598&end=5531","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2806125-8269a3330d8ec5ac6b6f69c2ee2dc6f7/thumbnail_4598000.jpg","/articles/6102000/Wisconsin/Board-tables-15-million-capital-projects-plan-after-questions-on-scope-and-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102000-ea45b778ca13a5f469080299606706f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1777270976&Signature=GVbRtXT0nMZ7bV0wAY5UuKxOKtYECi0Et2gzmxb4zkPhI0-R5UOExlwWqwsHpNIb4T3nad4jfVT17qGh8OlwAbUEuHiujyTTszSESriVm1Ce~NiJpQdnG5HX9JTInUk0qMyz-53Mvy15yEmBs288ZYug0YIMud1romBAvfp4caZFyOr1agKxGvldduKi1HZ2H218ihA2Sn-Y1AUGCghjG1IhEC8ei8xv8EYmLjJ5JiBk6gPnVnKpq7AT399WeQQaPQaX2wqgOP7eU9diklHrH8QXDBNRGsLhf~jSoT3u7IDV4tSS9x8xHnThvglG-RJKrCJOgsXctvjOMwYU5LyPBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kenosha Unified School District board discussed and then tabled the district’s capital projects plan for next fiscal year after trustees requested more detailed cost breakdowns and prioritization.

Facilities staff presented a compilation of multiple projects totaling $1.5 million that administration had prioritized after an earlier reduction to the major‑maintenance budget. Projects described included roof replacement at Woodyear (original 1992 roof), continuation of asphalt work at Indian Trail, replacement of original carpet at Casal Library, toilet partition replacements at Forest Park, exterior door and security‑related door replacements at several schools (including Reuther, Harborside and Pleasant Prairie) and facade cladding at Grant Elementary to address leaks.

“Some of these projects are security‑related in my opinion because … at some point, if someone leaves it or a jar because of the rust and it doesn’t close properly behind them, that could be a security issue,” the facilities presenter said when describing deteriorated door hardware and rusted pivots.

Trustees sought clarity on the total cost and on whether the $1.5 million represented one single project or multiple line items; staff clarified it was a package of multiple smaller projects. Several board members asked whether the work could be paused and the funds placed in a contingency account to address any catastrophic failures. Facilities staff replied that pausing work would leave the district vulnerable to emergency repairs and that some emergency work during winter had been covered by the major‑maintenance fund.

Trustee Rebecca Stevens moved to table the plan and asked administration to return with a prioritized list and line‑item costs at the April meeting; the motion passed with unanimous assent.

Ending: The district’s capital projects package is postponed so trustees can review line‑item bids and prioritization. Facilities staff said work typically begins when school is out for summer and that the April follow‑up will include further detail on sequencing and costs.

","The Kenosha board debated a $1.5 million major‑maintenance package covering roofs, doors and energy upgrades, heard questions about pausing work or reallocating funds, and ultimately voted to table the plan until the April meeting to allow more detailed line‑item review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kenosha district cites roughly $22 million shortfall after failed referendum; staff, teachers and community press board to protect classrooms

Board approves consent agenda, Head Start grant and listed donations; adopts Cesar Chavez resolution

Board tables $1.5 million capital projects plan after questions on scope and timing