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Vote NO: Higher Taxes ≠ Higher Scores

What’s really going on in the Kenosha Unified School District & will a $115 million tax increase fix the problem? We don’t think so.

What’s the Other Side of the Story?

Every story is believable when you only hear one side. The Kenosha Unified School District spent $36K of your tax money hiring a marketing firm (see page 89) to convince voters to give it $115 million more over the next 5 years. KUSD is currently using its taxpayer funded website to present only its side to our community and also includes campaign-style “Get Out the Vote” information. KUSD’s emails to parents all contain information favorable to KUSD’s referendum position. How is it acceptable for a taxing body like KUSD to use your tax dollars for this purpose?


KUSD residents have been receiving expensive flyers by mail and have been bombarded by text messages pushing for a “yes” vote on the referendum from a group calling itself “Say Yes to Invest.” Who exactly is “Say Yes to Invest?” According to its website:

We are a community of educators, students, families, and supporters dedicated to providing equitable educational experiences for all. Our mission is to foster a safe, inclusive, and resource-rich environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

But is it really? The address for “Say Yes to Invest” is 3030 39th Avenue, Room 117, Kenosha, WI 53144—the Kenosha Union Club—which happens to be the same address (and room number) for the Kenosha Education Association. The KEA is the public school union in KUSD. Is “Say Yes to Invest” really just the KEA? If this February 18, 2025 $115 million tax increase referendum is such a great idea why would anyone with an office inside the Kenosha Union Club building be shy about openly campaigning for a “Yes” vote?


A “Say Yes to Invest” mailer with the same address as the public school union in the Kenosha Union Club building
A “Say Yes to Invest” mailer with the same address as the public school union in the Kenosha Union Club building

Here’s the Referendum as it appears on the February 18th Ballot:

Shall the Kenosha School District No. 1, Kenosha County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes by $23,000,000 per year beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and ending with the 2029-2030 school year, for non-recurring purposes and consisting of operational expenses and debt service for safety and security improvements?

Does Increased Spending Help Kids?

On January 29, 2025 the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the highest standard of education testing in America, released math and reading test scores from 4th and 8th graders across the country.


Scores for all Wisconsin public school students are lower now than they have been in decades. Wisconsin’s Black public school students ranked last in the nation in both math and reading. Interestingly, private school students here in Wisconsin scored much higher in both math and reading. How is it that private schools—which have much smaller annual budgets than KUSD’s 2023-24 budget of $364,891,573—spend so much less and get better results for their students?


The explosive news of just how poorly Wisconsin public schools performed on the NAEP tests rocketed across the state. Digging into NAEP’s data showed that while the private school test scores pulled up our state’s average, even that couldn’t hide how low the public school test scores were.

Source: Fox6 News Milwaukee, January 29, 2025

The Institute for Reforming Government has a good recap in its January 29, 2025 press release of how Wisconsin fared in the NAEP’s latest tests.


Vote NO on KUSD’s $115 Million Tax Increase Referendum

If Wisconsin private schools can provide a better education—as the test scores prove—for Wisconsin children while spending much less money, it’s not about the money. The parents and the children in all our public and private schools live in the same communities, why are the test scores different? It’s not about the money.


Vote “NO” on or before February 18th or pay $115 million more for the next 5 Years.


 

Fight, fight, fight & vote in every election!


When & Where To Vote

In-Person Absentee Voting (early voting) begins on February 4th and runs through February 14th, depending upon your municipality. In the city, vote at the Kenosha City Clerk’s office, 625 52nd Street, Kenosha WI. See the Kenosha City Clerk’s official Spring Election 2025 Press Release for additional information. Outside the City, check your municipality’s web site for information on when and where you can early vote.

Municipal Election Information:


If you’re not sure whether you’re registered to vote, check the MyVote Wisconsin website. You can also use this link to update your registration—in particular, if you’ve moved or changed your name.


If you need to register to vote, bring with you a picture ID, and documentation of where you live. Your Wisconsin driver’s license or state-issued ID card is enough, if it shows your current name and address. If your license/ID does not show your current name or address, bring a document that does show your current name and address – for example, a tax bill, a utility bill, or a paycheck or pay stub. Visit Bring It to the Ballot for all the information you need.


Plan Ahead!

A few minutes spent planning when and where to vote could save you hours of aggravation.


If at all possible, do yourself a favor and vote early—but regardless, vote! The future of our nation depends on it.


 

Make Your Plan to Vote Now!

  • Check your voter registration status here.

  • Find your In-Person Absentee voting options here.

  • Find your polling location here.

  • See what’s on your ballot here.


Online registration deadline: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked by Thursday, February 13, 2025

In person registration deadline: Tuesday, February 18, 2025


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