Teachers tell Kenosha board Reuther must be protected amid referendum talk

Two teachers from Reuther spoke during public comment at a Kenosha School District special meeting, urging the board to protect the small-school model amid talk of an operational referendum and possible program changes.

Laura Bachman Hoffman — who identified herself as a social studies teacher at Reuther Central High School — told the board she was "deeply heartbroken" that staff learned about the referendum planning from a news article rather than from district leadership. She said Reuther provides an equitable education option with small class sizes, block scheduling and alternative grading that serves students with higher needs and that converting Reuther to an academy or absorbing it into another program would risk losing that model. "It is easier to close school programs than it is to shut down a school," she warned, asking board members to visit her classroom before making decisions.

Another Reuther teacher, who identified himself as Sam, told the board that if an operational referendum fails the district might cut "40 more teaching positions, eliminate middle and high school extracurriculars, and or close Reuther High School." He described Reuther as a place where teachers remain and individualized supports exist for students with disabilities, trauma, or other high needs. "A small-school culture where everyone knows and trusts each other brings out the best in everyone," he said.

The chair reminded attendees that, in alignment with state statute, board members will not reply to public comments unless the matter is on a properly noticed agenda and that responses will occur when the item is formally addressed.

The speakers asked for greater transparency about referendum planning and offered to host board members at Reuther before any final decisions.