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Kenosha public sharply divided over Feb. 18 KUSD referendum during board meeting
Summary
Residents at a Kenosha Unified School District board meeting offered sharply different views on the district's Feb. 18 operational referendum, with speakers criticizing district spending and administration while others urged passage to preserve programs and safety.
Public commenters at a Kenosha Unified School District Board meeting delivered sharply divided views on the district's upcoming operational referendum, which is scheduled for Feb. 18.
Supporters said state funding limits and voucher programs have left local schools short and urged voters to approve the referendum to keep teachers, programs and safety measures. Opponents questioned district spending, asked for transparency on prior grants and said local administrators are overstaffed.
The debate began during the public-comment portion of the meeting. Caleb Leighton said board members did the right thing by tabling proposed changes to policy 6,700 and criticized district administration spending, saying, "More teachers than you realize know they and their students wouldn't see hardly a penny of that money." Angela Kretchmer and Valerie Kretchmer urged voters to reject the referendum, repeating claims made to the board that KUSD had received "$72,000,000 in ESSER funds" and saying those funds were "not accounted for," while also citing declines in test scores and enrollment as reasons for fiscal caution.
Other commenters framed the referendum as necessary to protect programs. Jody Mierhoff said state funding shortfalls leave districts like KUSD to fill gaps, and she asked voters to "vote yes on the February 18 KUSD referendum so our children can have the resources and education they deserve." Carl Bridal, a longtime resident and alumni of a closed neighborhood school, linked funding to retaining programs and staff and urged a yes vote: "A yes vote on this referendum ensures that KUSD can retain top teachers, sustain vital programs, and provide safe, well-equipped schools for our children." Several speakers also tied passage to broader community benefits, saying strong schools increase property values and economic development.
Speakers raised specific safety and transparency concerns. Multiple residents referenced past incidents in district buildings and questioned whether ESSER funds were used for safety improvements; one commenter said, "We were supposed to use ESSER funds to do this and you chose not to." Others emphasized inclusion, with one speaker saying, "Trans kids are kids," and urging the board to treat all students with dignity.
Board members did not directly respond during public comment; the president reminded speakers that board replies to public comments will occur only when an item on the formal agenda is being considered, "in alignment with state statute." The referendum and related budget items were listed elsewhere on the agenda and remain slated for the Feb. 18 ballot.
Why it matters: The referendum would increase local operating revenue if approved by voters and district leaders said the funds would help sustain staffing, programs and facility safety work that they argue state funding no longer covers. Opponents counter that previous state and federal funds were not fully accounted for and that administrative staffing has grown despite declining enrollment.
What comes next: The referendum will appear on the Feb. 18 ballot. The board and administration noted that additional town halls and media outreach are underway in advance of the vote.
