When Act 10 went into effect 13 years ago, it set a revenue cap, which is a state-imposed restriction on the amount of money a school district can receive from state aid and local property taxes. Since then, that cap hasn’t even kept up with the rising cost of inflation since then. If it had, KUSD would have $31 million more in its base operational budget.

School districts across Wisconsin have increasingly been forced to make cuts in order to make ends meet and even that hasn’t been enough. Across the state in November there were a record number of referendums on ballots and of those, a record number passed because Wisconsin voters believe in and want to support public education.

KUSD has had to make difficult decisions to try to balance their budget, including shutting down six schools last year. But even so, the district is still struggling to fund its 37 remaining schools as the cost of goods and services have continued to rise while school funding has fallen far behind, including losing $5 million last year alone to local religious voucher schools.

KUSD has placed a referendum on the February 18th ballot. Voters who live within the bounds of the KUSD school district will have the opportunity to approve additional spending to support our public schools and public school children.

The referendum seeks community approval to increase the district’s revenue limit by $23 million annually through the 2029-30 school year.

If approved, this funding will:

• Address a projected $19+ million budget deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year and beyond.
• Protect class sizes, programs, and staff positions.
• Improve academic proficiency in reading and math by 12% through enhanced instruction and state-mandated programs like Act 20.
• Retain high-quality staff essential to providing exceptional education.
• Implement key upgrades to enhance the safety and security of students and staff, including upgrading controlled building entrances, modernizing surveillance systems, reinforcing exterior doors, installing shatter-resistant window film, upgrading digital video recorders, and implementing additional critical safety measures.

Thriving public schools are important, not just for our children’s futures, but for our communities economic health. Good schools attract jobs and increase property values.

Plan to attend one of the upcoming KUSD community town halls to learn more about the referendum and the importance of voting yes.

Referendum

Also visit YesToInvestKenosha for more information:

Vote to support safe and stable schools for KUSD children.