The Lake Forest School District Board voted unanimously Nov. 30 to express interest in joining other Kent County school districts in pursuing an increase to the county's building‑permit impact fee.

District finance staff presented how the fee is assessed under Kent County code — "1.16% of the proposed construction value," with a separate 0.09% share for Polytech — and said the district's dedicated impact‑fee reserve currently "sits at close to $3,300,000." The presenter noted the district receives impact‑fee checks twice a year and cited recent deposits (for example, about $162,000 for April–September and a prior $264,000 payment).

"The purpose of this is to establish financial assistance to the school districts for capital improvements," the presenter said, describing the county code language and noting the fees are intended for capital projects rather than operational costs. The presenter named past uses of impact fees including pool resurfacing and the track resurfacing project.

Board members pressed for clarifications about whether the 1.16% figure is countywide (the presenter confirmed it is countywide) and asked whether Smyrna's recent study — which varies fees by construction type — would translate to a countywide change. One board member noted that Smyrna's study was roughly $20,000 and that the county may require a different study format if it wants evidence for a change.

President Rao recommended first approaching the county to learn what information it would need before the district contributes to or commissions any study. The board then moved to prepare a general resolution expressing interest in joining other districts on the issue; the motion passed by voice vote, recorded as "motion carries 4-0." The resolution does not commit the district to fund a study or to a specific fee level.

What happens next: the district will return the matter for a future board vote on a formal resolution after staff consults with other districts and the county about required documentation and format.