June 23, 2026 11:15p
(WGTD0---The Kenosha School Board got cold feet Tuesday night and pulled a tentative proposal to hold a funding referendum in November.
Earlier this year, Superintendent Jeff Weiss recommended that the board consider scheduling a referendum for this fall---but only after giving voters a clear understanding of what would be cut if the ballot question failed.
The school board was headed in that direction up until the end of a lengthy discussion. While pushing a series of popular items off the budget-cutting table, the board failed to delineate what actually could be cut. Then hesitations over whether to hire a polling firm to gauge public opinion led to a motion to delay the referendum altogether until next April.
The delay was supported by board member Bob Tierney. "I don't think we have enough time from now to November to spin this around and get all these charts made," said Tierney in reference to launching an information campaign. "I don't know of anybody who supports a referendum right now."
Board member Rebecca Stevens—in the minority—supported the original November date. She worried that a referendum held in spring would have a low turnout and lead to a loss, similar to the referendum that failed in the district last February. "There are no easy answers," she said.
After hesitating a moment, School Board President Carl Bryan cast the deciding vote in favor of a delay.
The 4-3 vote is not expected to impact the upcoming budget with its projected $17 million deficit. Administration has already recommended a one-time plan to use reserves and savings generated by unfilled positions to close the gap.
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