Kenosha parents, teachers and students urge board not to cut 5th‑grade music, enrichment and Reuther as administrators outline $17.6M shortfall

Dozens of parents, students and teachers urged the Kenosha Unified School District board on June 23 to spare elementary music lessons, the Roosevelt Enrichment Program and Reuther High School from proposed budget reductions as district leaders outlined a multi‑million dollar structural deficit and a timetable for an operational referendum.

"Hurting teacher wages, benefits, or class sizes, removing extracurriculars like music, fine arts, or athletics ... would push parents and students away from KUSD," said Dr. Cassandra Epping, a parent and political‑science scholar, summarizing a common theme among public commenters who said cuts would reduce enrollment and worsen funding. "We need to increase transparency and determine what's best to support our students and help the district thrive."

Several speakers gave personal and programmatic explanations for keeping 5th‑grade small‑group music lessons and the Roosevelt Enrichment Program. Christy Cruz, an elementary band teacher with decades in the district, said the proposed $157,000 reduction for elementary lessons would undermine a decades‑old pipeline that supplies skilled students to middle and high school ensembles. "Cutting elementary band is not just cutting a few lessons a week. It's cutting off the roots of the entire tree," she said. Dr. Edward Kalakami, a music education professor, cited research linking music participation to higher test scores, attendance and graduation rates.

Families described concrete consequences. Laura Bachman Hoffman, a Reuther teacher, warned that closing or absorbing Reuther would be permanent: "One thing that can never be brought back is the closure of Reuther High School," she said, and cited staff estimates that absorption into academies would cost about $1.1 million while a full closure would carry $1.6 million in costs.

Superintendent Dr. Weiss told the board that the district faces a structural gap driven by declining enrollment and rising costs, notably health‑insurance increases. He presented a scenario in which revenues rise roughly $1.7 million while expenses increase about $19.3 million, producing a structural deficit of about $17.6 million for the 2027–28 fiscal year. Weiss noted the district has an unassigned fund balance of about $77 million but said relying on reserves is not sustainable year after year.

Weiss laid out a timeline to keep statutory deadlines: if the board chooses to put an operational referendum on the November 3 ballot the board would need to approve the question at its August 25 meeting and staff would engage a polling company to help shape the question and community messaging. Board members asked for more granular transparency — itemized discretionary spending and a list of cuts already enacted — and suggested town‑hall outreach before any referendum.

Board discussion also covered alternatives to program cuts, including deferred maintenance already reduced in the budget and potential unfilled positions that produce vacancy savings. Miss Reuter, a district staff member, said the district reviewed roughly 259 submissions from staff and families — more than 1,300 suggested ideas — and is cost‑ing options, but emphasized that some funds are restricted by grant or fund type.

The board took one formal procedural vote during public comment, approving a motion to extend the 45‑minute public‑comment period so remaining speakers could address the board. No formal cuts or referendum questions were approved at the meeting; the superintendent said revised packet materials and a slightly adjusted timetable would be returned to the board to support clearer community communication.

What happens next: district staff will return with more detailed cost breakdowns and a refined timeline for polling and potential referendum decisions; the board signaled it wants clear, itemized information before deciding whether to place an operational question on the November ballot.