Kenosha schools consider cutting sports, 40 teaching positions to address $17M deficit

June 22, 2026 - 20:17

The Kenosha Unified School District is preparing for significant cuts if voters do not approve a planned referendum this November. Facing a projected $17 million budget deficit, district officials are considering eliminating 40 teaching positions and scaling back or cutting athletic programs entirely. The proposals are part of a contingency plan to balance the books without new revenue from a property tax increase.

School board members have stressed that these cuts are not a threat but a realistic look at what must happen if the referendum fails. The district has already trimmed administrative costs and consolidated some services, but the shortfall is too large to close without either a tax hike or deep program reductions. In addition to teaching jobs, the district may also reduce support staff, limit bus routes, and freeze spending on supplies and building maintenance.

Community reaction has been mixed. Some parents argue that cutting sports would hurt student engagement and morale, while others say the district must prioritize classroom instruction. The referendum, which would raise the local property tax levy, faces uncertain support in a community still recovering from economic pressures.

District leaders plan to hold public forums over the next month to explain the budget situation and gather input before finalizing any cuts. The school board is expected to vote on the final plan in late October, just weeks before the November election. If the referendum passes, the district would restore most of the proposed cuts and stabilize its finances for at least two more years.