[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6524993,"mediaKeyId","3804049-5e3fc30beea60130771979568ce29c9c","parentId",3804049,"title","Kennett board adopts $107.7 million 2025–26 budget, approves tax resolution and several policy, program and contract votes","audioSeconds",492,"startMs",5928000,"endMs",6420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804049-5e3fc30beea60130771979568ce29c9c&start=5928&end=6420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804049-5e3fc30beea60130771979568ce29c9c/thumbnail_5928000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6524993/Pennsylvania/Kennett-board-adopts-1077-million-202526-budget-approves-tax-resolution-and-several-policy-program-and-contract-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524993-0e98579374a9b28dbe729fa1977d9c62/orig.mp4?Expires=1774951286&Signature=DILxxT2KRdkDTdkQyMGodjy5YNaElOQDh9NG0PoNMa2cRyNM9P7HOht1M1CdqYBjGz2N0uJ~N6pEnZvckh-PSq995X0hyWQg1qiMd~v1dFcY6jS4pi2GiCTHBl84DgW3DMS~pJJ8fMqtps5iXZ8cTbxNVcXyDyuIavmjYi9UyP2dEdGJ4rBN5~qz-V0Jgf-KxgEw~KyB1XhCTg7waMxa19Snh8Y2HnGesYVAWxTmE2d4TncjZYJc-GlU9U1PJ~idJ1rve9fz3nDSKhUUXF6bNe7gFPZGnvK3~1hvJuTeDN50pVh6h3yvrnPhEJkFEOU4uDzCxUGLL9GkJjWgkpkDdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kennett Consolidated School District","date","2025-06-10T13:20:03Z","article","The Kennett Consolidated School District Board of School Directors on June 9 adopted the district’s 2025–26 operating budget of $107,695,765 and approved a series of related fiscal and policy measures, including a tax resolution to support the budget, multiple new and revised board policies, a purchase of a social‑emotional screening tool and several contracts tied to facilities and services.

The board approved the budget during its regular meeting after earlier committee review. Business officials said the budget reflects a 4% overall tax increase to balance revenue shortfalls and program needs; a board member later referenced a 1.34 millage increase when explaining the difficulty of the vote. Finance staff also noted that the district will pass through roughly $2.5 million in homestead/farmstead relief to qualifying property owners funded by state gambling revenue.

Key votes and actions (motions and outcomes)

- Adopt 2025–26 operating budget: Motion carried. Recommended motion: approve operating budget in the amount of $107,695,765 and submit Form 2028 to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. (Mover: not specified in roll call; vote recorded as carried.)

- Adopt tax resolutions to support the budget: Motion carried. The board approved the tax resolutions that implement the revenue side of the adopted budget.

- Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion resolution: Motion carried. Finance staff said $2,500,000 will be distributed to about 6,118 qualifying properties.

- Internal Service Fund budget (self‑insured benefits): Motion carried to approve $8,614,394.

- Food service budget: Motion carried to approve $1,828,284.96; district reported breakfast will remain free for all students and lunch eligibility follows PDE rules.

- Cafeteria prices: Motion carried; no increase for 2025–26 (elementary $3.00, middle/high $3.25, adults $5.00).

- Authorization to make year‑end budget transfers with subsequent board ratification: Motion carried.

- Personnel and confidential agreements: Motion carried on the personnel report, including approval of a separation agreement (employee #7758) and three confidential student agreements (administration said terms are confidential and no discussion occurred in public session).

- DESA social‑emotional learning screening and intervention system purchase (grades K–12): Motion carried. Administration presented an executive summary and recommended authorizing purchase based on a multi‑year quote; the district said the tool will support the MTSS framework and universal screening for social‑emotional and behavioral risk.

- Approve new course, Digital Media & Communications for Kennett Middle School: Motion carried. Administration and middle/high school staff described alignment with the high school program and three sections planned at the middle school.

- Approve extension for athletic training services with NovaCare Rehabilitation (08/01/2025–07/31/2028): Motion carried. Administration described a 3% annual increase in rates over the contract.

- Approve CHA Consulting Inc. construction management agreement for district office expansion and renovation: Motion carried. Contract amount: $196,120; CHA to provide on‑site construction management part‑time during the roughly 13‑month project.

- Approve 2025–2030 five‑year Capital Reserve plan: Motion carried. Finance staff described major items including rooftop HVAC work and a roughly $2,000,000 project for the district office in year one.

- Approve the treasurer for fiscal 2025–26: Motion carried. Michael H. Finnegan was re‑elected treasurer.

- Treasurer’s bond amount: Motion carried. The treasurer’s bond was set at $50,000 as required by the school code.

- Adopt several student‑focused board policies: Motion carried for each policy voted. Policies adopted included searches (policy 2.26), student rights and responsibilities (policy 2.35), student assistance program (policy 2.36), and a trauma‑informed approach policy (policy 1.46.1). Board members described the package as substantive and the product of committee work.

How votes were recorded and next steps

Most motions were approved by voice vote with the board responding “Aye” and the chair announcing the motion carried. Administration noted several items are contingent on follow‑up steps (for example, posting the newly approved assistant principal position, completing purchases subject to quotes, and finalizing contracts). Separately, the district confirmed several items required submittal or review by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), including the budget and the food service plan.

Ending note: The board said it will continue committee work over the summer and the next regular meeting is scheduled for July 14; the district also noted specific operational timelines such as construction phasing and the availability of funds for capital projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 9, 2025 - School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Kennett Consolidated School District Board adopted a $107,695,765 operating budget for 2025–26 on June 9 and approved a package of policies, purchases and contracts that included a DESA social‑emotional screening tool and construction management services.","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},6524997,"Greenwood parents and teachers urge board to keep counselor as district reworks guidance staff",3040,283000,3323000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3804049-5e3fc30beea60130771979568ce29c9c&start=283&end=3323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3804049-5e3fc30beea60130771979568ce29c9c/thumbnail_283000.jpg","/articles/6524997/Pennsylvania/Greenwood-parents-and-teachers-urge-board-to-keep-counselor-as-district-reworks-guidance-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524997-771284e27aeb457780aadfe7966318e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774951286&Signature=Vy0weSyZdBIjK1xO1V44G3PN8Q2Gv9JqhwgRlddi1zv4VHL0fYjUG8w2g5exG1jyO64LIc~eXZkb2kavAVlwhKTK~ssf0rlfs6MEslydWQ9ikANNgan23ItGgf6o8~NV7j7MU2aHdViQy53k6SNEt01QVoOA-0gJrfkZryfI9qH6xgn0b7kcUfScwLlHFJ8x9h5VQE7EnSa92kNthytYEwUj4ktVg6DWgDajxtzacup92HFCKqdStpy2sDAk5d5CdImSsCYNh4psBK8K0VDa6sriz2BUFtQV~TQ5ASF3EuYNneaSVbqHSz4Uv1JYOUSkWwqGvSlmxacb8xyrsA8eeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maureen Keach, a Greenwood Elementary teacher and parent, told the Kennett Consolidated School District Board of School Directors on June 9 that the district’s plan to reassign Greenwood’s long‑time counselor would deepen instability at the school.

Keach said Greenwood students are facing “more change and uncertainty than ever” and argued that “you cannot replace 14 years of trust and connection with a staffing change.” Her remarks came during a public‑comment period dominated by Greenwood parents and staff who urged the board to keep experienced counselors and protect small class sizes.

The speakers described Greenwood as the district’s largest elementary and said it is carrying a heavy share of the district’s specialized needs amid active construction of a new school building. Several speakers told the board the district had notified staff on June 2 that Greenwood counselor Tia Ennis would transfer to Kennett High School; Keach said Ennis has worked at Greenwood for 14 years and is “a pillar in our building.”

Why it matters: Greenwood parents and staff said the timing and cumulative effects of construction, frequent principal turnover and growing class sizes mean the school needs continuity in counseling and other supports. The board approved an assistant principal position for Greenwood on the same agenda, saying the role is intended to provide more instructional and behavioral leadership at the school.

What speakers said: Steve Lewinsky, speaking as a Greenwood parent, pressed the board for specifics about the counseling reorganization. “The high school has five counselors, one for every 240 students. Greenwood has close to 600 students per counselor,” he said, asking the administration to explain why a counselor would be moved from Greenwood when Greenwood’s counselor‑to‑student ratio appeared far worse than the high school’s.

Colleen Corrado and Monica Strausser, both Greenwood parents, emphasized Ennis’s role as a trusted adult for students and the harms of raising kindergarten class sizes from six sections to five, which the speakers said would increase typical class sizes to about 26 students. Corrado also urged the board to consider Greenwood staff for leadership openings at Greenwood rather than moving them out of the building.

Jennifer Lewinsky, co‑president of the Greenwood PTO and a Greenwood substitute teacher, said classroom crowding and substitute shortages can leave classrooms split among other teachers on days without available substitutes, increasing class sizes in practice to the low 30s on some days.

District response and board action: Superintendent Doctor Iza Saunders (on the record as “Doctor Rizzo Saunders” in meeting materials) told the board the district is conducting a review of counseling services as part of a guidance‑plan revision (the “3.39 plan”) and that any transfers will follow board policy 3.09. The district presented the counseling reorganization as informational at the meeting; no transfer motion of any individual counselor was voted on that evening.

Separately, the board moved and approved the creation of an assistant principal position at Greenwood Elementary. Doctor Iza Saunders said Greenwood has 572 students, approximately 26% with an IEP or 504 plan, about 44% eligible for free or reduced lunch, and roughly 20% identified as ELD; administration said the assistant principal hire is cost neutral and would be funded by savings elsewhere in administrative staffing. The motion carried unanimously.

Context: Multiple speakers tied the counseling concern to broader issues at Greenwood: ongoing construction of a new elementary scheduled to open in 2026, frequent principal turnover (several speakers cited three principals in four years), and already large class loads and high proportions of special‑education and ELD students. One speaker referenced the American School Counselor Association guideline of approximately 250 students per counselor in arguing Greenwood’s counselor workload exceeded recommended levels.

Ending: Board members thanked the public for attending and for the Greenwood community’s engagement. Several speakers asked the board to seek community input on any administrative reassignments going forward; board members indicated the assistant principal position could be posted immediately and that administration would continue meetings about the district guidance plan.","Parents, teachers and Greenwood PTO speakers told the Kennett Consolidated School District board they oppose transferring long‑time Greenwood counselor Tia Ennis amid construction, rising class sizes and repeated leadership turnover; the board approved creating an assistant principal position at Greenwood.","actionData","errors"]

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Kennett board adopts $107.7 million 2025–26 budget, approves tax resolution and several policy, program and contract votes

Greenwood parents and teachers urge board to keep counselor as district reworks guidance staff