Senior center, library and school district outline services, growth and funding needs

At a workshop session Tuesday night, council members heard separate presentations from three community organizations that provide services to borough residents: the Kennett Senior Center, the Kennett Library and the Kennett Consolidated School District.

Stephanie Demo, executive director of the Kennett Senior Center, described the center’s mission to reduce isolation among older adults and highlighted core services: a five-day meal program (average 35 people per day, sometimes higher), health and wellness classes, technology help, volunteer programs and an extensive volunteer base (about 250 regular volunteers). Demo said the center serves roughly 1,500 unique people a year, that fundraising and donations cover more than half of the center’s budget, and that the center provides free tax-preparation services (about 411 returns completed this past season) and food distribution through a partnership with the Chester County Food Bank.

Brad Piper of the Kennett Library summarized the first year operating from the library’s new ADA-accessible building. He said visits and circulation have risen substantially (the borough recorded 1,949 library visits in May), that the library now houses maker‑space equipment (3D printers, audio/video studio) and that adult literacy programming serves about 400 adult learners with 100 volunteer tutors. Piper noted the library runs the Dolly Parton Imagination Library countywide (about 8,000 enrolled children) and said operational funding, staffing for maker spaces and expanded hours remain priorities.

Mark Tracy, chief financial officer for Kennett Consolidated School District, presented district finances and capital plans. Tracy said the district’s operating budget is about $103 million and the board is proposing a 2.82% tax increase this budget year; after homestead/farmstead rebate adjustments he estimated a net increase of about $107 for the average household. Tracy also outlined planned and ongoing capital work: a full high-school roof replacement beginning after mid‑June, auxiliary gym renovation and two new elementary schools (New Garden, estimated ~$58 million and expected to open fall 2026; Greenwood, estimated ~$60 million with bids opening in July). Tracy said the district will fund building work largely with municipal tax‑exempt bonds and noted enrollment and staffing pressures as drivers of operating costs.

Council members asked questions about capacity, operational costs and opportunities for collaboration—Piper and Demo both said they expect to work with the borough on cross‑promotion and program coordination to reach more residents.

The session closed with council thanking the presenters and inviting continued dialogue about funding and referrals.