(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Unified School District’s latest effort to gather public input on budget reductions is drawing criticism from some parents and residents who say district leaders have already decided to pursue another referendum and are simply creating the appearance of public involvement.
On Monday, KUSD distributed a survey asking parents, students and staff to suggest budget cuts as the district faces a projected $10 million budget deficit in 2026. District officials said the deficit could exceed $17 million if salary advancements are approved. The district warned that if the School Board chooses not to pursue a referendum, or if voters reject one, significant budget reductions would be necessary.
The survey comes less than a year and a half after KUSD voters overwhelmingly rejected the district’s last referendum request. In February 2025, voters turned down a proposal that would have allowed the district to exceed state-imposed revenue limits by $23 million annually for five years, totaling approximately $115 million. The referendum failed despite being presented to an electorate centered in the Democrat-leaning City of Kenosha.
KUSD’s latest survey asks participants to submit ideas for reducing programs, services and expenditures by June 10. According to the district, submissions will be reviewed for ideas that have not already been proposed or considered.
Many residents, however, say they are skeptical the feedback will matter.
Several parents and taxpayers who contacted Kenosha County Eye said they believe district officials are virtually certain to pursue another referendum regardless of the public response. Some described the survey as a “dog and pony show” designed to give the impression that residents are helping shape the district’s financial future when the outcome has already been decided.
Others accused the district of fear-mongering by emphasizing the potential consequences of a failed referendum. Critics argued that repeatedly warning about major cuts to programs and services appears intended to build support for a future tax increase rather than encourage a genuine discussion about spending reductions.
Another source of controversy is the survey’s requirement that participants identify themselves before providing feedback.
The form requires respondents to provide their first and last names and identify whether they are a parent or guardian, student, staff member residing within the district, or staff member residing outside the district. Anonymous participation is not permitted.
Several residents said they were uncomfortable with the requirement and questioned why anonymous suggestions are not being accepted. Some said the identification requirement could discourage candid feedback from parents, students, and employees who disagree with district leadership or who may be reluctant to criticize district spending decisions.
The district’s survey instructs respondents to focus on practical, districtwide budget reductions and specifically asks participants not to identify individual employees in their submissions.
KUSD has not yet formally approved a referendum for the November 2026 ballot. However, district communications indicate officials are actively exploring that option as they confront the projected deficit.
The School Board is expected to continue discussing the district’s financial outlook and potential referendum plans in the coming months. Meanwhile, many residents appear unconvinced that the latest request for public feedback will significantly influence whatever decision district leaders ultimately make.
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5 Responses
KUSD … scamorama …nice work Kevin
Trim the fat at KUSD at 52 Street, NO More shortfall, start with Weiss!!!
The farther from the children you are the more money you make. Start with the administrators and give a raise to the teachers doing the work.
Shut it down. Start anew. Stipends and performance bonus. No more dead weight at the top.
Cut ESL (English as a Second Language)? Let’s have an honest conversation.
Many KUSD students—Black, White, and others—are struggling to read and write proficiently in their first language. If a large percentage of our own students aren’t meeting reading standards, why aren’t we putting more focus and resources into fixing that problem first? Oh because people think it’s just the black kids when it’s the entire KUSD