Property owners in the Kennett Consolidated School District will face a 4.8 percent tax hike for the 2024-25 school year if the preliminary budget presented on Monday is approved as is.

The numbers, calculated by school district CFO Mark Tracy and announced by board treasurer Michael Finnegan, reflected an increase from the $98-million operating budget of this year to $104 million for 2024-25.

Finnegan referred to the increase as unfortunate and said that it is the result of inflation. But he added this: “We have three more meetings to look at this. Each year we have been able to bring it down [by the final vote in June].”  

Based on the preliminary numbers presented, the average homeowner in the district who paid $5,953 for the 2023-24 school year will be paying $6,231 for 2024-25, if no reduction of the initial numbers is worked out before the final vote on June 10.

 Finnegan began and concluded his presentation by adding that the new budget does not include any additional funding for the building of two new elementary schools or for the replacement of new positions.

One of the most significant expense increases listed was for professional services. That jumped from $7.2 million for 2023-24 to $9.2 million for 2024-25.

In recent meetings the board has approved contracts with outside agencies to address issues like professional development, translating material, healthcare and student behavior, and Finnegan mentioned that.

At Monday’s meeting at Mary D. Lang Kindergarten library, the board approved a partnership with Devereaux School for addressing difficult behavior problems and an agreement with TIEN, an agency that deals with handling trauma. The board members are planned to be part of that trauma training as well, board member Ethan Cramer noted.

The board also approved the bid for the replacement of the New Garden Elementary School building. The total cost of construction is $49,016,000. It is due for completion in the fall of 2026.

The Greenwood Elementary School building, which is also on track for replacement, is not as far along in the process because it is facing plans and approvals from the Kennett Township Planning Commission for the construction of an onsite sewage system. The system’s location has been designated as the area of the current soccer field.

Meanwhile, the board approved the purchase of two modular classrooms (trailers) to be placed at the front of the Greenwood school to accommodate a staging area for the future building project.

In other business:

Seated at the board president’s position at the table was Dave Kronenberg, who was chosen for the job at the December reorganization meeting. Former president Vicki Gehrt is taking the leadership of the Curriculum Committee and has also joined the Finance Committee.

Two new members have joined the board: Latoya Myers was elected from Region A (Kennett Square) to replace Ann Parry, who did not run for another term. Myers was placed on the Policy Committee.

Lynn Golden-Mirarchi was elected from Region B (New Garden) to replace the seat formerly held by Don Kohler, who did not run for re-election.  She will serve on the Communications and Curriculum committees.