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EXCLUSIVE: Kenosha Unified School District superintendent shares proposed safety changes after recent gun threat

By: Ellie Nakamoto-White Facebook | Twitter
Posted: Nov 14, 2024 4:12 PM CST
EXCLUSIVE: Kenosha Unified School District superintendent shares proposed safety changes after recent gun threat
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KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Officials with the Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) have proposed changes to improve safety and security after a 13-year-old student walked into Roosevelt Elementary School in Kenosha last Thursday with what police believed at the time to be a semi-automatic rifle.

Surveillance video shows the moment the teen attempted to enter the building through a side door, which was locked, while carrying a duffel bag.

After, he walked through the parking lot before making several laps around the perimeter, before he was buzzed in through a different set of doors and confronted by a teacher. 

Investigators later revealed the gun turned out to be a pellet gun -- and thankfully, no one was injured.

Law enforcement officers also found several airsoft replica handguns and a replica rifle at his home.

The teen, who is now in custody and appeared in court on Nov. 12, is being charged with one count of terroristic threats.

KUSD families weighed in on their frustration with the situation during a recent board meeting, with many asking for transparency and answers as to why he got into the secure vestibule.

Now one week after the incident, KUSD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Weiss sat down exclusively with CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White to explain the changes that could cost taxpayers a serious amount of cash.

"The events were very eye-opening, they were very troubling," Dr. Weiss said. "Situations like this are incredibly scary, no doubt."

Dr. Weiss said he is "very confident" in their safety protocols which proved to be extremely effective.

"The measures that we have in place worked, but also it is a concern that these are things that we have to think about," Dr. Weiss said. "School safety wasn't the issue that it is today."

Currently, KUSD has routine safety checks, regular drills, security cameras, and mandatory visitor check-ins.

“Safety is our number one priority, and it is, and it always has been," Dr. Weiss said. "We are always looking and always wanting to improve."

One of the biggest improvements proposed would be to install controlled entrances at the remaining seven buildings out of 40 in the district.

“After this, to see how important that controlled entrance was during the incident last week at Roosevelt, this is something that we’re moving forward and that we’ve wanted to move forward," Dr. Weiss said. 

But it's not as simple as it sounds. These are the seven schools currently without: 

  • Bose - 1900 15th St, Kenosha, WI 53140
  • Curtis Strange - 5414 49th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144
  • Forest Park - 6810 45th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53142
  • Jeffery - 4011 87th St, Kenosha, WI 53142
  • Harvey - 2012 19th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
  • Lance - 4515 80th St, Kenosha, WI 53142
  • Whittier - 8542 Cooper Rd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158

Any new buildings in Kenosha are automatically built with controlled entrances, but some of the schools above are older, so the potential installments would be "major remodeling work."

"It's moving offices, changing plumbing, changing HVAC, redoing classrooms, making sure everything is ADA compliant," Dr. Weiss explained. 

Plus, it comes with a hefty price tag.

"That's why for those seven buildings we're looking at $12.5 million dollars," Dr. Weiss said. "But after seeing how important those are, it's something I really think we have to do."

Currently, the district is facing a deficit of $19 million heading into the 2025-26 school year.

This means the installations would be fronted by taxpayers, through a referendum that could be on the ballot in February.

"So, the controlled entrances will be a part of that, about an additional $3 million dollars added to the referendum," Dr. Weiss said. 

If voters approve the referendum, the district's goal would be to have the entrances finished within a year.

"We started just this morning, mapping out what that would look like," Dr. Weiss said.

The district is also looking to hire part-time entrance monitors, who would be stationed at main entrances to escort visitors. Those salaries would be paid for by money received from a vape settlement.

Money would also cover other safety improvements like updated security cameras, replaced exterior doors, more card readers, and shatter-proof window film.

"We had an incident, and based on that incident, we learned things," Dr. Weiss said. “When families send their children to us, their safety is our number one priority, and we need to do everything we can to make sure that the children in our community are safe.”

Officials added that suggestions for improvement are welcome from students, staff, and families, noting that they're already working on one person's idea of placing stickers on doors to remind others that they should remain locked and closed.

All front office staff will also receive "refresher training on visitor protocols, including essential safety screening practices and using the Raptor visitor management system. Updated doorbell camera monitors offering improved visibility and an added monitor with additional outdoor camera views will also be installed in offices across district buildings," a news release said.

At next week's board meeting, members will discuss the referendum and possibly take action.

If you want to apply to be an entrance monitor, click any of the below links.

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