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Kennett board appoints Willa Hightower to vacant seat, hears parent plea for chorus room and approves abatement and study contracts
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Summary
The board appointed Willa Hightower to fill a vacant seat through December 2027, received a public comment urging preservation and expansion of the high-school chorus room, approved a $148,888 asbestos abatement contract at Greenwood Elementary and a $25,920 feasibility study for KHS corridors and the Coral Room.
The Kennett Consolidated School District board on April 13 appointed Willa Hightower to the board to fill the vacancy left by Linda Carrillo and approved several facilities contracts and studies.
President Cronenberg opened nominations for the seat vacated by Linda Carrillo (resigned March 15 after moving out of the borough) and accepted a nomination for Willa Hightower, a Region A resident of Kennett Borough. The board approved Hightower's appointment for the term ending Dec. 6, 2027; Hightower was not present and will be sworn in at a later date.
During public comment, Emily Duckworth, a parent of 20 years, urged the board to prioritize the high school music program and specifically asked the board to protect and expand the chorus room during the planned high school renovations. "I would urge you to continue your support for maintaining and building the music program and giving them the tools that they need," Duckworth said, describing many years of student participation in music and theater.
On facilities business, the board awarded the asbestos abatement and related work at Greenwood Elementary to Sargent Enterprises Inc. for $148,888 following a public bid process. The administration noted a small amount of asbestos at New Garden will be handled via time-and-materials work. The board also approved a feasibility study by Breslin Architects for the high school corridors and the Coral Room at a cost of $25,920; the study will provide renderings and feasibility guidance but is not the architectural design contract.
Personnel matters: the board accepted personnel changes including two retirements—Steven Finnegan (28 years, Kennett Middle School) and Kevin Knitzer (25 years, Kennett High School)—and approved the personnel report by voice vote.
Next steps and context: Hightower will be sworn in at a future meeting. The administration will carry out abatement work as scheduled and the architects will begin their feasibility study to inform future design decisions for KHS renovation phases.
