KUSD School Board approves controlled entrance safety project for several schools
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The push for safety improvements in Kenosha schools continues.
The project proposing the addition of controlled entrances for the seven schools in the Kenosha Unified School District that currently don't have them, passed unanimously Tuesday night.
It’s a decision that would cost the district more than $7 million, and now it’s one step closer to becoming a reality.
The district says the controlled entrance offers a second layer of security, putting the school's office right at the entrance of the building, along with two separate sets of doors before a person can fully enter the school.
It’s a project that’s been postponed due to the cost, with a referendum proposed to fund it last year not passing.
That’s because the total estimated cost for the whole project is nearly $7.5 million.
“In order to get on the schedule for summer work, we need to let them know as soon as possible that we are going to be moving ahead with these projects,” said Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, the Kenosha Unified School District superintendent. “So, that’s why we are here today, to say yes, we are going to move ahead with these projects, so we can get on the queue for summer work.”
Back in 2024, a controlled entrance is what stopped a potential shooting after a teenager tried to enter Roosevelt Elementary School with what police believed at the time to be a semi-automatic rifle.
With several recent safety scares in the district this year, extra protective measures have been at top of mind. Board members say this project is a step in the right direction, but there is more work to be done.
“I mean, we are looking at one area,” said Rebecca Stevens, a KUSD school board member. “We have to look at everything.”
While the project was passed, the question of how it will be funded remains. That will be presented and voted on at the next meeting in April.
The district also provided an update on its newly purchased and approved metal detectors for all of its high schools. Those will be distributed school by school, starting April 15.