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Kenosha schools staff outline options to complete controlled‑entrances after failed referendum; borrowing and scope reductions discussed
Summary
District staff reviewed options to install controlled entrances at seven schools after a failed referendum, including a focused security referendum, staged/revised projects without borrowing, or borrowing under the revenue limit; staff estimated the original group cost at about $12.5M and suggested a revised scope around $10M with varying annual debt service impacts.
District facilities and safety staff presented a detailed informational briefing on options to complete controlled‑entrance projects at seven schools left undone after the failed referendum. The listed schools include Bose, Curtis Strange, Forest Park, Jeffrey Harvey, Whittier and Lance Middle School.
Staff explained that a controlled entrance involves major remodeling to funnel visitors through a single main path and often requires redesigning interior layouts. The district’s prior accelerated referendum estimated about $12.5 million for the projects (plus interest if borrowed), and staff said that, with a revised scope and extended timeline, the total could be roughly $10 million. The administration presented three main options:
• Propose another targeted referendum strictly for security projects (timeline restrictions noted; earliest practical window after April 2026). • Revise scope and fund projects gradually without borrowing (reducing immediate fiscal pressure but slowing progress). • Borrow under the revenue limit without a referendum, which would require debt service to be paid out of operations and could require planned use of reserves; staff presented hypothetical five‑, 10‑, and 20‑year borrowing scenarios and annual cost estimates.
The facilities presentation noted that borrowing $10 million over five years at roughly 4% interest would generate annual debt service near $2.2 million, while a 10‑year structure would reduce annual payments to roughly $1.2 million but increase total interest paid. Presenters cautioned that state equalization aid changes and the district’s fiscal position may cause tax levy increases and that committing operations to debt service could necessitate cuts elsewhere.
Board members did not take action on the informational item; the safety committee and staff will return with options and recommendations for board consideration at a future meeting.
