On Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, our Community will vote on a proposed non-recurring referendum question for Kenosha Unified. If approved, the district will be able to increase its revenue limit by $23 million annually through the 2029-30 school year. This critical funding will address a $19+ million deficit while enabling the district to invest in additional safety enhancements and ensure high-quality staff retention.
I have personally witnessed a lot of emotion around this referendum, both for and against. Like anything worth debating, there are strong points on both sides of the argument. My opinion, however small it may be in the grand scheme, is that in our Community, we are as strong as our weakest link. It is very common, even easy to poke holes, question authority, policy, systems, habits, and leadership. We all do it, often with merit. Life is rarely “all or nothing”, it’s not just black and white. As a business leader in our Community, I believe the strength of Kenosha directly impacts the success of our workforce, businesses, and economy. But, even more than that, it represents prosperity for every person living here. The strength of our Community is dependent on strong school systems, attracting homebuyers & talent, attracting new businesses, stabilizing property values, minimizing, or eliminating crime, and creating a better place to live for every single one of us.
Our most important asset is our People. That is our strength. And it starts with the children – the next generation. We can ignore that and find reasons to justify not giving the KUSD what it needs to continue to support our young people. But It will negatively affect all of us. The proposed cuts that will be implemented if this referendum doesn’t pass are significant. Many of us don’t have children in the KUSD, some of us send or will send our kiddos to private schools or even home school. We are blessed and should be proud of our ability to offer/provide those solutions for our children. There is a huge contingent of young people who don’t have those options. This referendum represents Opportunities for these young folks and a better future for all of us.
No one wants to see increased taxes. I understand that wholeheartedly. I hope as a Community we can align and see the big picture and how the success of all our children and their peers impact the future success and STRENGTH of Kenosha.
Written by JP Moran, CEO, LMI Packaging, Inc.