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Parents and teachers press Kenosha board for transparency, defend Bolen dual‑language program and raise facility concerns
Summary
During public comment, speakers urged the board to protect teachers' non‑instructional time, criticized a photo taken by a teacher and shared outside district channels, demanded better community engagement on proposed changes to the Bolen dual‑language program, and called for repairs at Curtis Strange School.
Several community members used the board's public‑comment period March 24 to press the district on transparency, staffing and program decisions.
Karen Kempinen warned that a revised teaching‑load policy (policy 43.51.1) could reduce non‑instructional time for teachers and harm lesson planning and special education procedures. "If you keep this revised policy, that you're asking teachers to address the … buildings operational needs by covering classes because KUSD can no longer attract enough subs," she said, urging the board to be honest about tradeoffs.
Amanda Meyer described a photo taken by a teacher with a personal device during a disciplinary incident involving multiple students that she said was shared outside official channels and mischaracterized in communications to families. "A photo of multiple students including my daughter was taken by a teacher during a group disciplinary moment using a personal device and shared outside of official channels to show how naughty they are," Meyer said, adding that parents received an account that omitted key facts and limited transparency.
Melissa Chacon Hansler, a teacher at Kenosha School of Language and the KEA secretary‑treasurer, urged the board not to alter the Bolen dual‑language program without authentic engagement. "Do not change the Bolen dual language program," she said, and called for the district to listen and act when the community speaks.
Other speakers urged more recess time at middle and high schools, questioned maintenance and safety at Curtis Strange (including roof leaks and water in light fixtures), and asked the board to prioritize teachers and transparency over administrative cuts.
The board did not respond directly to public comment that night, noting state statute limits replies to items properly noticed on the agenda; a later agenda item would cover related matters, and written comments had been shared with the board in advance.
