KUSD outlines referendum outreach, explains ESSER spending and potential cuts if voters reject proposal

Kenosha Unified School District staff updated a committee on outreach and background for an upcoming operational referendum and reviewed how federal ESSER stimulus funds were spent in recent years.

The district has held four town halls (Bradford, Reuther, AESE and Lance Middle School) with roughly 60–100 attendees each, plus smaller organization briefings and media interviews, staff said. Questions raised at the town halls were posted on the district website with answers as they were developed.

ESSER funding breakdown: Tarek Hamden (district staff) and other presenters summarized ESSER (federal COVID stimulus) spending. The district received multiple phases of federal funds (ESSER 1, 2 and 3 plus governor/state stimulus) totaling roughly $72 million across the multi‑year grant window; the district reported the funds were expended through September of the prior year. Staff said the largest ESSER categories were personnel costs (about $22.6 million), purchase services (including allowed air‑quality projects and construction), and instructional technology and non‑capital items such as Chromebooks and hot spots. Staff emphasized federal grant rules limited allowable uses (for example, most construction not tied to air‑quality or COVID mitigation was not an allowable ESSER expense).

Transparency and accountability: Committee members asked about accountability if the referendum passes and how the district will track and report spending. Staff said recurring budget items (salaries, benefits, insurance) will appear in budget materials annually and at the district’s annual electors meeting; the district will continue publicly reporting uses of referendum funds and planned annual updates. The presenters said they have posted town hall Q&A material online.

What if the referendum fails: Staff described likely district responses if voters reject the referendum request: staff reductions and higher class sizes (because personnel comprises roughly 80% of school budgets), fewer program choices, delays to capital and curriculum adoptions, and proposals the board might consider such as pay freezes and reduced staff recognition budgets. Presenters emphasized that while some maintenance and purchases can be deferred temporarily, postponing capital and curriculum work eventually raises costs and reduces options.

Public discussion: Committee members and community attendees raised concerns and asked for talking points to counter misinformation circulating on social media (questions about ESSER availability and district administrative staffing levels). Presenters encouraged use of materials posted on the district referendum webpage and noted that some proposed transparency legislation at the state level may change reporting or referendum timelines in the future.

Ending: District leaders said outreach will continue through election day, that town hall materials and video are available on the referendum page on the KUSD website, and recommended continued public communication about how ESSER funds were used and how referendum funds would be tracked if approved.