Feb. 18, 2025 10:20p
(WGTD)---Kenosha Unified’s five-year operational referendum lost by an eight-point-margin in Tuesday's spring primary, leaving the school board with a projected $19 million deficit for the upcoming budget year.
Sarah Kirby helped lead the citizen advocacy group in support of the referendum. "I think we did our best. I think we tried to get our message out about how important this is," she said. "People are hurting right now. It's hard to buy groceries. It's hard to make the rent. Energy prices are going up. I can understand why people didn't want to add more expenses on their budget."
Kirby says she has no idea how the school board might bridge the gap. "$19 million is not where you can fire a couple of admins and make up the difference," she said. "Unless our state suddenly comes through with funding we're going to have to do something pretty drastic."
Kirby, who has three kids in KUSD, wonders out loud whether the district may have to close additional schools or forego making planned security improvements.
The district is expected to release a statement on Wednesday.
There was one other school referendum in the WGTD listening area Tuesday.
A one-time, nearly $25 million referendum for capital expenses was approved by voters for Waterford High School.
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