Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kennett board adopts $104.19 million budget, approves 2.82% tax increase and free breakfast program
Summary
The Kennett Consolidated School District board approved a $104,187,402 operating budget for 2024–25 that carries a 2.82% real-estate tax increase, adopted related tax resolutions and homestead/farmstead exclusions, and approved budgets for internal service and food service; the board also set lunch prices and made breakfast free for all students.
The Kennett Consolidated School District Board of School Directors on June 10 approved the district’s 2024–25 operating budget of $104,187,402 and adopted tax resolutions to support it, settling on a 2.82% real-estate tax increase.
“Mister Tracy” summarized the budget changes and said, “The budget stands at 104,187,402 dollars,” noting a $390,000 draw from fund balance to fund temporary positions in pupil services. Board members moved, seconded and voted to approve the operating budget and submit required forms to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The board also approved related financial items: a five-year capital reserve plan; an internal service budget of $8,102,391 that funds the district’s self-insured medical, prescription and dental programs; and a food service budget of $1,948,605.36 following a multi-month RFP process that recommended Chartwells. Tracy told the board the capital projects fund bill list totaled $1,427,883.47 for Duke Elementary work.
As part of the budget actions the board adopted the homestead/farmstead exclusion resolution under Act 1 of 2006, authorizing an anticipated state distribution of $2,162,734.59 to be divided among 6,113 eligible properties (about $354.33 per property). The board also authorized post–June 30 budget transfers required for year-end closing and audit preparation.
On school meal pricing the board approved lunch prices of $3.00 for elementary students, $3.25 for middle and high school students and $5.00 for adults, and confirmed that breakfast will be free for all students for the 2024–25 year. Board members emphasized efforts to ensure students in need receive meals even if paperwork is incomplete and noted the district will continue outreach in English and Spanish to enroll qualifying families.
The board voted on each motion with verbal ayes and no recorded oppositions; where statutory or detailed tallies were not specified in the public record the actions were recorded as approved.
Next steps: the finance office will finalize transfers and submit necessary paperwork to PDE; the district will implement the approved food service contract and the free breakfast policy before the start of the school year.
