District overview
How Kenosha Unified is funded, who governs it, and what is underway
Wisconsin caps how much money a school district can raise from state aid and local property taxes combined, and the cap grows with enrollment averaged over three years. Kenosha Unified's enrollment has fallen every year, while costs like health insurance and utilities keep rising. For 2026-27 the district budgeted to spend $18.75 million more than it takes in, and plans to cover this mostly from savings, which is not sustainable.
The 2026-27 levy is $98,852,490, up 4.63% from $94,475,658, which the district says is the most the law allows without a referendum. The tax rate per $1,000 of property value fell 1.22% to $5.49 because property values rose 5.93%.
General state aid rose only $214,751 (0.15%) to $145.3 million. The state allows $325 more per student but froze the aid formula, so local taxes must rise to reach the cap.
17,029 students in 2026-27, down 770 from 17,799 and from 19,620 in 2021-22. The district points to fewer births, more school choice and fewer children entering district early grades.
The general fund balance is projected to fall by $18.75 million to $61.3 million by June 2027, near the district's 15% minimum. The 2027-28 budget will need new revenue or major cuts.
The district's own report says about $5 million of the gap may be covered by unfilled positions, and a one-time $5.5 million declining-enrollment exemption helps this year. None of this shows the district is badly run; it shows how state rules and enrollment trends interact.
Down 770 from 17,799 in 2025-26.
Up 4.63% from $94,475,658.
Of this, $17,759,765 is described as a structural deficit.
About 21% of expenses; the unassigned part is about 15.6%.
From federal school directory data (NCES); not stated in a collected board document.
The board is weighing asking voters on April 6, 2027 for extra operating money. A community poll in fall 2026 found mixed support. If no referendum passes, the district says cuts such as staffing reductions, larger classes and benefit changes would begin in 2027-28.
Would be local property taxes approved by voters; polling estimated $11.5M to $23.6M a year depending on the amount.
The district is finishing controlled entrances at its schools. The board approved a revised $7.5 million budget and a state trust fund loan.
State Trust Fund loan; a $991,728 payment is in the 2026-27 budget
The board hired Education Resource Strategies ($10,000) to compare staffing with other districts, and CESA 6 ($25,000) to help write a three-to-five-year strategic plan.
General fund
Kenosha Unified School District
The seats now held by Sabrina Landry, Todd Price and Mary Modder have terms that end in April 2027, so they are expected on the April 6, 2027 ballot. Nomination papers are normally due in early January and a February primary is held only if more than two candidates per seat file.
Official source · verified Nov 9, 2026
Kenosha Unified School District
Two at-large seats (terms ending April 2029) were on the April 7, 2026 ballot. Robert Tierney was re-elected and Robin Cullen won the seat held by Yolanda Adams; both were sworn in April 28, 2026.
Official source · verified Nov 9, 2026
Kenosha Unified School District
The board is considering asking voters on April 6, 2027 for extra operating money to cover a projected deficit. No referendum has been approved; ballot language must be approved by January 26, 2027. Polling estimated $11.5 million to $23.6 million a year depending on the amount.
Official source · verified Nov 9, 2026
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from board agendas, minutes, packets and meeting recordings posted by the district from November 2025 to November 2026, and the district's board web pages.
We read every agenda, packet, recording, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from.
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