[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6357195,"mediaKeyId","2215369-d0f359c884b6e72cb3dfe6b93f5b9d08","parentId",2215369,"title","Board approves policies, textbook waiver and bill lists; adopts 2025–26 calendar and two confidential settlements","audioSeconds",250,"startMs",3350000,"endMs",3600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215369-d0f359c884b6e72cb3dfe6b93f5b9d08&start=3350&end=3600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215369-d0f359c884b6e72cb3dfe6b93f5b9d08/thumbnail_3350000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6357195/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-policies-textbook-waiver-and-bill-lists-adopts-202526-calendar-and-two-confidential-settlements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357195-634eae931cdd5e6dcc128daa11ed6449/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172439&Signature=m2SYNEkRXLMRHZMicl9zQkpoLfevsOuS~uoXUqPOTfX4OeuYd37It7EMG2UbvThYsfPPbaXa9JZVVqkfgewHXUQxDlLByHcx60xjtDNYQOZCBykw9t~CBwAourIIQSsGk3fQbKcfKrxKXX6HqkXagneTYXz6Xm8XodDNX6GiAv~ymsvK1hot75QQIByfZvp-ak1I8pHPpe2bPr~0w9QHCXrR448mwJcEywMQOOzbMcIujageBIP2RPs9XHr-zSX-OcijbTLfXL2lU~n3fOUKr28pFwIGxv8N62gRfNSWVl-2OvFw8fm2jLG7gDFDWHp13nsXlhDMf7K9CqkHyXpIQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kennett Consolidated School District","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Kennett Consolidated School District Board of School Directors handled a series of routine and substantive votes on Jan. 13, approving meeting minutes, several policy updates, a temporary waiver to expedite an AP Psychology supplemental text, multiple bill lists that included capital‑project payouts, personnel actions and two confidential settlement agreements.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes and committee minutes: The board approved the reorganization‑meeting minutes for Dec. 2, 2024; approved and amended the Dec. 2 regular‑meeting minutes to correct recorded votes as requested by a trustee; and approved policy and finance committee minutes for Dec. 9, 2024 and the board workshop minutes for Dec. 16, 2024. (Motions and seconds were recorded during the meeting; the amendment to the regular minutes was moved by Miss Myers and seconded by Mister Finnegan; final approval carried.)

- Policy adoptions: The board adopted revised Policy 113 (special education), new Policy 113.1 (discipline of students with disabilities), and an update to Policy 247 (as presented in meeting materials). Motions to adopt each policy were moved and seconded and each motion carried.

- Textbook waiver and supplemental AP Psychology text: The board approved a temporary waiver of the textbook review process to permit adoption of an AMSCO AP Psychology supplemental text that aligns with the College Board\u0000s recent course redesign. The supplemental AMSCO AP Psychology (2025 AP edition) was approved; the presentation noted a publisher discount estimated to save the district more than $500 on the purchase. The waiver and the textbook motions carried.

- Confidential settlement agreements: The board approved two confidential settlement agreements with parents of students; because the agreements are confidential, their contents were not discussed in public.

- Bill lists and financial items: The board approved the treasurer\u0000s bill lists covering the period Dec. 3–Jan. 13, including a general operating bill list of $3,075,932.24 and approximately $1,900,000 in payroll disbursements; an internal service fund list of $815,089.28; a capital reserve bill list of $136,142; a capital projects fund bill list of $3,211,981.62 (payments associated with the two new elementary schools); and a food service bill list of $179,092.98. The food service monthly net loss of about $26,000 was noted, with a year‑to‑date net of roughly $230,000 in the black (district did note that November/December invoices and subsidies were not yet included).

- Personnel and professional status: The board approved the personnel recommendations presented by the personnel committee (hires contingent on certification) and recognized attainment of professional‑employee status for Emma Terminini. A resignation and appreciation for Dr. Collins\u0000 service were recorded.

- 2025–26 school calendar: The board approved the draft calendar for the 2025–26 school year; the first student day is listed as Aug. 25, 2025 and the last student day as June 10, 2026 (with an in‑service day on June 11). The motion carried.

Several motions were moved and seconded during the meeting; where the record listed names those are included above. When the transcript did not clearly identify mover/second, the article indicates the motion carried as reflected in the public meeting minutes.

Why it matters: The board actions authorize multi‑million‑dollar payments tied to construction of two new elementary schools, update policies that affect special‑education discipline and student conduct, and allow a mid‑year textbook update to align the AP Psychology course to the College Board redesign. The confidential settlements were approved but not discussed publicly because of their terms.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 13, 2025 - School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Kennett Consolidated School District board on Jan. 13 approved a package of policy updates, a temporary textbook‑review waiver and multiple bill lists that include capital‑project payments, and approved two confidential settlements.","taxTitle","Kennett Consolidated SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",78434,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6357200,"Kennett Consolidated reports progress on New Garden and Greenwood construction, repairs to middle‑school walk‑in freezer and rooftop units",145,4685000,4830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215369-d0f359c884b6e72cb3dfe6b93f5b9d08&start=4685&end=4830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215369-d0f359c884b6e72cb3dfe6b93f5b9d08/thumbnail_4685000.jpg","/articles/6357200/Pennsylvania/Kennett-Consolidated-reports-progress-on-New-Garden-and-Greenwood-construction-repairs-to-middleschool-walkin-freezer-and-rooftop-units","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357200-039ccc9265df7c6008d7309fc6437e95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172439&Signature=BeL3HW58AbEtAwuCsTQK9HIOlU6owRzCMcz8mRRyI1vXXlFOp9ndtAyXz-VxwzZSA-ksR6GO1DztKOfHGOHO9WJLvRCM3Qx-mircmdWKdsRRVh7y6edXsfzWM2B01AyKuS76Ps4Cip83Jzq3n5oNlJSimV-n~EhyhdNmdHzBBx7QgiXhjLGtbEJ4fjo0l9ghWKkpADNqd4xVmLktbb-O8uoEj-I80D9FosM7lY-NFPwgyAI1lTx-MrkPY1UMDP1hlWX1AMAU-am1xUOKPVEREqzHduZGfgsBX~UuiF09J7GxSZ5Kl26L256iMfgLbEccSxy2P-3vRgas-B3Eu7M2xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mister Bryce, facilities director for Kennett Consolidated School District, on Jan. 13 updated the board on construction and maintenance work across the district, including progress on New Garden Elementary and Greenwood Elementary and recent equipment repairs.

At New Garden Elementary, Bryce reported concrete ramps connecting areas B to D and A to C have been poured, additional walls in area B are complete, interior walls in area D are in place, and electrical wiring and plumbing have been roughed in on the second floors of areas C and D. At Greenwood Elementary, a construction entrance off Greenwood Road has been established, the loading‑dock excavation is complete and foundation work is progressing through areas A and B, and temporary electrical power has been installed to support construction.

Other work and repairs cited by the facilities director included replacement of a walk‑in freezer at Kennett Middle School and a supply‑fan‑motor replacement and heat‑exchanger repair for rooftop units at Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center. The director also noted a weather‑related incident on Jan. 6 that required snow and ice removal by maintenance and custodial staff.

Mister Bryce introduced Dennis Bench as a new member of the high‑school building maintenance team, filling a vacancy created by staff movement.

Why it matters: The report indicates active progress on both elementary construction projects and routine maintenance that keeps school operations functional. Board members were updated on sequencing and short‑term operational impacts but no board action was required at the meeting.","Facilities director reported poured concrete ramps and interior work at New Garden Elementary, excavation and foundation work at Greenwood Elementary, temporary power on site, a replaced walk‑in freezer at Kennett Middle School, and rooftop unit repairs at Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center; construction continues on two new elementary schools.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6357205,"Kennett Consolidated superintendent presents entry plan recommending strategic plan, curriculum alignment and equity initiatives",3502,794000,4296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215369-d0f359c884b6e72cb3dfe6b93f5b9d08&start=794&end=4296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215369-d0f359c884b6e72cb3dfe6b93f5b9d08/thumbnail_794000.jpg","/articles/6357205/Pennsylvania/Kennett-Consolidated-superintendent-presents-entry-plan-recommending-strategic-plan-curriculum-alignment-and-equity-initiatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357205-73a17e3479b88ac60a499f69453c6bb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172439&Signature=hO5I5ZVBqF~XHxCIrNbDaRfXLyow-pjDpZ36gimUIR4PjULYV59Pinewzp1jdcLLWWagu1lnd5j8Pd9SRXYSS83wVAAsrXP3~KZe5YpCtBxCypRmEAa2UxNoamWY1fbMhLnHy2RfqYSwjBX1PFfk4hmt1X8oExA29EEe-GNYef409t4Tg1yM5ictQ-QhLWhLdzyisI292qkdSp5R6fPDISA6-Y5u6540TQpMuWkScmzQYog71xUElXeE6fwQ6pV10AGg1jLJ4e1T6i-9yHGBRk-e-vmUbqhPrFjiTHbZ5DVddcpnD27TdoKknfje84rX8tYusW0--idnG4~M0m8Srg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Rizzo Saunders, superintendent of Kennett Consolidated School District, on Jan. 13 presented an entry‑plan report that synthesizes interviews, focus groups, surveys and district documents and sets out recommendations for a five‑year strategic planning effort.

The report, the superintendent said, is grounded in a mixed‑methods review that included one‑on‑one interviews, focus groups, surveys and documentary analysis and is intended to be the foundation for a district strategic plan that will guide curriculum, staffing and facilities decisions.

Dr. Rizzo Saunders said the review combined qualitative input and quantitative documents into a single analysis. \"On my first day as superintendent in August of 2024, I made a promise to listen and learn from all stakeholders,\" she said. She described the process as drawing on more than 70 one‑on‑one interviews, approximately 102 focus‑group participants, more than 1,000 survey responses and \"over 3,000 pages of reports and documents.\" The data were coded and analyzed to identify themes and priorities.

Why it matters: The findings identify gaps the district says affect equity and continuity — including uneven access to advanced coursework, facility variability across buildings, turnover among key staff, and inconsistent curriculum alignment from K–12 — and set recommended next steps that will affect budgeting, staffing and program priorities over multiple years.

Key findings and recommendations

- Strengths: the report highlights strong community engagement, committed educators, robust extracurricular programs and generally solid fiscal controls, including what the superintendent described as a list of cash and investments and \"adequate operating reserves.\"

- Challenges: Dr. Rizzo Saunders told the board the district faces equity gaps in academic performance and in access to programming, variable facility conditions (she cited Greenwood and New Garden schools as examples raised by stakeholders), staffing turnover that disrupts continuity, inconsistent social‑emotional and behavioral supports, and uneven curriculum implementation.

- Priority recommendations: develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan; perform an \"opportunity audit\" to identify where students lose access to programs; create a guaranteed, viable K–12 curriculum with aligned assessments; expand bilingual and cultural‑immersion programs; strengthen mental‑health and multi‑tiered behavioral supports; and address facilities disparities.

Process and next steps

Dr. Rizzo Saunders said steering‑committee work will begin immediately. \"Those meetings will start on January 21st,\" she told the board, and the district has organized subcommittees for communications, human resources, curriculum and instruction, technology, finance and operations, and student supports. The superintendent said each committee will receive relevant data and will help develop goal areas and measurable objectives; the plan will be drafted as a minimum five‑year document and circulated to the community for comment before final board adoption later this year.

Board members acknowledged the report in public comment after the presentation. President Cronenberg thanked Dr. Rizzo Saunders for the depth of the work, and board member Golden Miyarkey said the stakeholder focus was \"very much appreciated.\"

The superintendent closed by noting the plan should be used as \"a road map\" and invited community participation in subcommittees, surveys and focus groups as the district prepares a formal strategic plan for board consideration.","Superintendent Dr. Rizzo Saunders presented an entry plan Jan. 13 summarizing interviews, surveys and documents and recommended a five‑year strategic plan, a guaranteed viable K–12 curriculum, expanded bilingual programming, strengthened mental‑health supports and targeted investments in facilities and equity.","actionData","errors"]

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Board approves policies, textbook waiver and bill lists; adopts 2025–26 calendar and two confidential settlements

Kennett Consolidated reports progress on New Garden and Greenwood construction, repairs to middle‑school walk‑in freezer and rooftop units

Kennett Consolidated superintendent presents entry plan recommending strategic plan, curriculum alignment and equity initiatives