Board approves exchange with City to transfer closed school sites; Hillcrest relocation to Wilson included

The Kenosha Unified School District board voted to approve an exchange-of-real-property agreement with the City of Kenosha covering multiple district-owned buildings that were closed as part of the district’s rightsizing plan.

District and city staff have negotiated terms that move maintenance and redevelopment responsibility to the city, use tax increment (TID) financing where applicable, and include restrictions intended to prevent the properties from becoming preK–12 private schools that could draw students away from KUSD.

Pat (Patrick) Fenimore, the district’s facilities official, told the board the city’s proposal focuses on housing in many sites and that several properties have been included in tax-increment districts. He said the district will retain a role through representation on joint review boards and that any profit from redevelopment would be split 50–50 when there is a profit. “Citi takes responsibility for that redevelopment and those costs associated with it,” Fenimore said.

The agreement also includes language enabling the relocation of Hillcrest School to the former Wilson Elementary site if the district chooses that option. The Wilson site, Fenimore said, has been well maintained, offers more space and more amenities than Hillcrest’s current building, and would better support Hillcrest’s specialized services. Board discussion noted the Hillcrest parcel encompasses about 16.85 acres and that adjacent parcels could increase redevelopment potential.

Board members asked about deed restrictions and conditions protecting neighborhood interests. Fenimore confirmed the sale documents include restrictions to prevent reuse as a preK–12 institution and described opportunities for the board through the TID joint review board to weigh in on redevelopment plans.

The board approved the agreement after the City Council’s Oct. 22 approval; the motion and second passed on a voice vote.