Kenosha Schools Eye State Funding After Election

Superintendent Jeff Weiss sees hope for more state aid as the district weighs a possible operational referendum.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Administration

Kenosha Schools Eye State Funding After Election

Live Poll

Would you support a property tax increase to maintain Kenosha's school programming?

Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Weiss says he sees hope for more state funding after Democrats won the Wisconsin governor's office and majorities in both legislative chambers. The district adopted a 2026-27 budget with a $17.8 million structural deficit and is planning for a possible operational referendum.

Why it matters

A failed bipartisan state deal in May cost the district a projected $4.3 million in special education reimbursement, leaving it short of revenue for programming. The board must approve referendum ballot language by Jan. 26 to meet the deadline for an April vote.

The Morris Leatherman poll found 80% of surveyed households would support a property tax increase, with support falling to 26% at $10 per month, 24% at $20 per month and 12% at $30 per month. A January special education reimbursement could bring about $8 million in additional state aid, though whether it passes has not been determined.

The players

Jeff Weiss

Superintendent of the Kenosha Unified School District, who sees hope for more state funding following the election.

Peter Leatherman

Chief executive officer of Morris Leatherman Company, which conducted the community poll on referendum support.

The details

The district's 2026-27 budget, adopted Oct. 27, carries a $17.8 million structural deficit. Peter Leatherman, chief executive officer of Morris Leatherman Company, presented poll results to the board showing half of surveyed community members described themselves as financially stressed.

May: A failed bipartisan state deal cost KUSD $4.3 million in special education reimbursement.
Oct. 27: The board adopted the 2026-27 budget and received the poll presentation.
Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election gave Democrats the governor's office and legislative majorities.
Thursday, Nov. 5: Special board meeting scheduled to discuss election implications and poll results.
Jan. 26: Deadline to approve ballot language for an April referendum.

Political Context

Wisconsin's special education reimbursement, the subject of a failed bipartisan deal in May, now hinges on the new Democratic majorities in Madison. Districts like Kenosha are weighing whether state aid will arrive before they must ask voters for property tax increases.

Property owners in the district could see monthly tax increases depending on whether a referendum passes, with estimated revenue of $11.5 million at $10 per month or $17.6 million at $20 per month in 2027-28. Families should watch the January state decision and the board's ballot language vote before the April deadline.

The takeaway

State funding decisions in January could determine whether Kenosha schools must ask voters for a tax increase this spring or can wait another year. Residents interested in the outcome should track the board's January agenda and state special education votes.

What happens next

The board must approve referendum ballot language by Jan. 26 for an April vote, and a special education reimbursement decision is expected in January.