Kenosha Unified School District: Difference between revisions

 

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In 1845, [[Michael Frank]], a strong supporter of free public education and the first president of the village of Southport (Kenosha from 1850), introduced a bill in the Wisconsin territorial legislature to establish a school district for the community.<ref name=”Jorgenson_1956″>{{cite book |last1=Jorgenson |first1=Lloyd P. |last2= |first2= |chapter= |editor-last1= |editor-first1= |editor-last2= |editor-first2= |title=The Founding of Public Education In Wisconsin |url=https://archive.org/details/foundingofpublic0000lloy/page/n3/mode/2up |edition= |publication-place=Madison, Wisconsin |publisher=State Historical Society of Wisconsin |publication-date=1956}}</ref> The legislation proposed a $2,000 tax levy for erecting and maintaining a school building and paying teachers, and was approved on February 24, 1845, subject to passage of a local referendum by May 1.<ref>{{cite book |title=Laws of Wisconsin Territory Passed By The Fourth Legislative Assembly |url=https://archive.org/details/lawswisconsinte00tergoog/page/n6/mode/2up |edition= |publication-place=Madison, Wisconsin |publisher=Simeon Mills |publication-date=1845 |pages=33–34}}</ref> Though the proposal met with opposition, Frank managed to convince enough voters to pass the measure on April 30, by a margin of 11 votes.<ref name=”Patzer_1924″>{{cite book |last1=Patzer |first1=Conrad E. |last2= |first2= |chapter= |editor-last1= |editor-first1= |editor-last2= |editor-first2= |title=Public Education In Wisconsin |url=https://archive.org/details/publiceducationi0000conr/page/n3/mode/2up |edition= |publication-place=Madison, Wisconsin |publisher= |publication-date=1924}}</ref>

In 1845, [[Michael Frank]], a strong supporter of free public education and the first president of the village of Southport (Kenosha from 1850), introduced a bill in the Wisconsin territorial legislature to establish a school district for the community.<ref name=”Jorgenson_1956″>{{cite book |last1=Jorgenson |first1=Lloyd P. |last2= |first2= |chapter= |editor-last1= |editor-first1= |editor-last2= |editor-first2= |title=The Founding of Public Education In Wisconsin |url=https://archive.org/details/foundingofpublic0000lloy/page/n3/mode/2up |edition= |publication-place=Madison, Wisconsin |publisher=State Historical Society of Wisconsin |publication-date=1956}}</ref> The legislation proposed a $2,000 tax levy for erecting and maintaining a school building and paying teachers, and was approved on February 24, 1845, subject to passage of a local referendum by May 1.<ref>{{cite book |title=Laws of Wisconsin Territory Passed By The Fourth Legislative Assembly |url=https://archive.org/details/lawswisconsinte00tergoog/page/n6/mode/2up |edition= |publication-place=Madison, Wisconsin |publisher=Simeon Mills |publication-date=1845 |pages=33–34}}</ref> Though the proposal met with opposition, Frank managed to convince enough voters to pass the measure on April 30, by a margin of 11 votes.<ref name=”Patzer_1924″>{{cite book |last1=Patzer |first1=Conrad E. |last2= |first2= |chapter= |editor-last1= |editor-first1= |editor-last2= |editor-first2= |title=Public Education In Wisconsin |url=https://archive.org/details/publiceducationi0000conr/page/n3/mode/2up |edition= |publication-place=Madison, Wisconsin |publisher= |publication-date=1924}}</ref>

On June 16, 1845, the first free public school in Wisconsin opened in the basement of the village’s St. Mark’s Catholic church.<ref name=”Patzer_1924″/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Brande |first1=S.Y. |chapter=The Evolution of the Free School at Kenosha, Wisconsin |editor-last1=Stearns |editor-first1=John William |editor-last2= |editor-first2= |title=The Columbian history of education in Wisconsin |url=https://archive.org/details/columbianhistory00steaiala/page/510/mode/2up |edition= |publication-place=Madison, Wisconsin |publisher= |publication-date=1893|pages=511–523}}</ref> The required $2,000 tax levy to construct and maintain a dedicated school building, however, was only voted upon and passed on October 18, 1847.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schafer |first1=Joseph |last2= |first2= |date=September 1925 |title=Origin of Wisconsin’s Free School System |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4630580 |journal=The Wisconsin Magazine of History |volume=9 |issue=1 |publisher=Wisconsin Historical Society |pages=27–46|access-date=October 19, 2025}}</ref> Consequently, the first high school in the community and state was built, opening on July 31, 1849.<ref name=”Patzer_1924″/> The south ward of Southport had briefly seceded to form a separate school district in 1846, but a single school district was reestablished by about 1852.<ref name=”Jorgenson_1956″/> Although the new institution was designated a “high school,” it enrolled all students from elementary school-age and older. Lack of an organized curriculum and the effects of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] resulted in low enrollments and few graduates through the 1880s. In 1889, the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison|University of Wisconsin]] accredited the Kenosha High School.<ref name=”1935_history”>{{cite web |author=<!– not stated –> |date=1935 |title=A History of Kenosha Central Senior High School |url=https://www.kusd.edu/bradford/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2023/08/The_First_Free_High_School.pdf|publisher=Kenosha Unified School District |access-date=October 19, 2025}}</ref> In July 1890, the first high school building was demolished and replaced with a new building which opened in September 1891, continuing to house students from the first through 12th grades.<ref name=”1935_history”/>

On June 16, 1845, the first free public school in Wisconsin opened in the basement of the village’s St. Mark’s Catholic church.<ref name=”Patzer_1924″/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Brande |first1=S.Y. |chapter=The Evolution of the Free School at Kenosha, Wisconsin |editor-last1=Stearns |editor-first1=John William |editor-last2= |editor-first2= |title=The Columbian history of education in Wisconsin |url=https://archive.org/details/columbianhistory00steaiala/page/510/mode/2up |edition= |publication-place=Madison, Wisconsin |publisher= |publication-date=1893|pages=511–523}}</ref> The required $2,000 tax levy to construct and maintain a dedicated school building, however, was only voted upon and passed on October 18, 1847.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schafer |first1=Joseph |last2= |first2= |date=September 1925 |title=Origin of Wisconsin’s Free School System |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4630580 |journal=The Wisconsin Magazine of History |volume=9 |issue=1 |publisher=Wisconsin Historical Society |pages=27–46|access-date=October 19, 2025}}</ref> Consequently, the first high school in the community and state was built, opening on July 31, 1849.<ref name=”Patzer_1924″/> The south ward of Southport had briefly seceded to form a separate school district in 1846, but a single school district was reestablished by about 1852.<ref name=”Jorgenson_1956″/> Although the new institution was designated a “high school,” it enrolled all students from elementary school-age and older. of

organized curriculum and the effects of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] resulted in low enrollments and few graduates through the 1880s. In 1889, the [[University of Wisconsin–Madison|University of Wisconsin]] accredited the Kenosha High School.<ref name=”1935_history”>{{cite web |author=<!– not stated –> |date=1935 |title=A History of Kenosha Central Senior High School |url=https://www.kusd.edu/bradford/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2023/08/The_First_Free_High_School.pdf|publisher=Kenosha Unified School District |access-date=October 19, 2025}}</ref> In July 1890, the first high school building demolished and replaced with a which opened in September 1891, to house students from the first through 12th grades.<ref name=”1935_history”/>

In 1904, the previously part-time post of city schools superintendent was established on a permanent basis, with P. J. Zimmers as the first regular officeholder.<ref name=”1935_history”/> He was succeeded in 1910 by [[Mary D. Bradford]], the first woman to lead a Wisconsin school district and one of only a few female school superintendents nationwide.<ref name=”1935_history”/> Bradford and her successors oversaw a period of rapid growth, reflecting Kenosha’s expansion. In 1915, to alleviate overcrowding and improve overall educational standards, junior high schools were established, first opening for the 1916-17 school year.<ref name=”1935_history”/>

In 1904, the previously part-time post of city schools superintendent was established on a permanent basis, with P. J. Zimmers as the first regular officeholder.<ref name=”1935_history”/> He was succeeded in 1910 by [[Mary D. Bradford]], the first woman to lead a Wisconsin school district and one of only a few female school superintendents nationwide.<ref name=”1935_history”/> Bradford and her successors oversaw a period of rapid growth, reflecting Kenosha’s expansion. In 1915, to alleviate overcrowding and improve overall educational standards, junior high schools were established, first opening for the 1916-17 school year.<ref name=”1935_history”/>

School district in Wisconsin, US

Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) is the school district that serves the city of Kenosha, the village and town of Somers, and the village of Pleasant Prairie in Wisconsin. With an enrollment of over 18,000 students, it is among the five largest public school districts in the state.^[2]

The Kenosha Unified School District’s mission is to “provide excellent, challenging learning opportunities and experiences that prepare each student for success.”^[3]

KUSD is overseen by a board of education and a superintendent, Dr. Jeffrey Weiss.

As of April 2025, the board of education members are:

• Mary Modder – President
• Carl Bryan – Vice President
• Dr. Todd Alan Price – Clerk
• Bob Tierney – Treasurer
• Yolanda Adams
• Sabrina Landry
• Rebecca Stevens^[4]

In 1845, Michael Frank, a strong supporter of free public education and the first president of the village of Southport (Kenosha from 1850), introduced a bill in the Wisconsin territorial legislature to establish a school district for the community.^[5] The legislation proposed a $2,000 tax levy for erecting and maintaining a school building and paying teachers, and was approved on February 24, 1845, subject to passage of a local referendum by May 1.^[6] Though the proposal met with opposition, Frank managed to convince enough voters to pass the measure on April 30, by a margin of 11 votes.^[7]

On June 16, 1845, the first free public school in Wisconsin opened in the basement of the village’s St. Mark’s Catholic church.^[7][8] The required $2,000 tax levy to construct and maintain a dedicated school building, however, was only voted upon and passed on October 18, 1847.^[9] Consequently, the first high school in the community and state was built, opening on July 31, 1849.^[7] The south ward of Southport had briefly seceded to form a separate school district in 1846, but a single school district was reestablished by about 1852.^[5] Although the new institution was designated a “high school,” it enrolled all students from elementary school-age and older. In 1856, a new building – known simply as the “New Building” – was built to the east of the original structure to house elementary-age students.^[10]

An insufficiently organized curriculum and the effects of the Civil War resulted in low public school enrollments and few graduates through the 1880s. In 1889, the University of Wisconsin accredited the Kenosha High School.^[11] In July 1890, the first high school building and the “New Building” were demolished and replaced with a larger facility which opened in September 1891, but which continued to house students from the first through 12th grades.^[11]

In 1904, the previously part-time post of city schools superintendent was established on a permanent basis, with P. J. Zimmers as the first regular officeholder.^[11] He was succeeded in 1910 by Mary D. Bradford, the first woman to lead a Wisconsin school district and one of only a few female school superintendents nationwide.^[11] Bradford and her successors oversaw a period of rapid growth, reflecting Kenosha’s expansion. In 1915, to alleviate overcrowding and improve overall educational standards, junior high schools were established, first opening for the 1916-17 school year.^[11]

KUSD encompasses sixteen elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, six choice schools, an eSchool program, and one charter school.^[12] In addition to these, Hillcrest School provides an alternative for expelled middle and high school students who need to address behavioral, as well as academic changes.^[13]

• Bose Elementary School
• Brass Community School
• Curtis A. Strange Elementary School
• Forest Park Elementary School
• Frank Elementary School
• Grant Elementary School
• Grewenow Elementary School
• Harvey Elementary School
• Jeffery Elementary School
• Nash Elementary School
• Pleasant Prairie Elementary School
• Prairie Lane Elementary School
• Roosevelt Elementary School
• Somers Elementary School
• Southport Elementary School
• Whittier Elementary School

• Bullen Middle School
• Lance Middle School
• Mahone Middle School
• Washington Middle School

• Harborside Academy (Grades 6–12)

• Early Childhood (Pre-K)
• Even Start (any age)
• Hillcrest School (Grades 6–12)
• Kenosha eSchool (Grades K-12)
• STEP (age 18–21)

The Kenosha public school orchestra program starts at the fifth-grade level and continues into high school. The concert and symphony orchestras of the city’s high schools present fall and spring concerts. In addition, the Tremper High School Golden Strings ensemble has performed throughout the United States and internationally since the early 1970s.^[14]

The Orchestra Festival has been a part of Kenosha history since 1963.^[15] Typically held in March each year, it showcases student performances at every level. Each year a guest conductor works with all of the ensembles, and awards are presented for music camps, teacher service and financial support, among other achievements.

The Band-O-Rama is a citywide school concert held annually since the mid-1950s,^[16] featuring the Kenosha Unified School District’s band program, totaling about 1,700 students in grades 5 through 12. As with the Orchestra Festival, the Band-O-Rama features a guest conductor. The show typically begins with an opening fanfare, followed by the national anthem, after which each grade level is showcased one by one with several selections. At the finale, the massed bands play Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever“.^[16]

In 2018, the Kenosha Unified School District settled a lawsuit for $800,000 that had been filed by a transgender male student who had been banned from the boys’ restroom. The school district had previously lost in the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.^[17]

Schools in the area have been criticized by the American Civil Liberties Union for applying a sexist dress code. Girls have been sent home for wearing tank tops, leggings and yoga pants while sweatpants and basketball shorts for boys were permitted.^[18] However, as of 2023 the dress code has changed and all of the previously mentioned are now allowed.^[19]