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

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 Boards 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 treasurers 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 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.