The Kennett Consolidated School District Board turned its attention to the condition of buildings and their roofs at the Feb. 12 meeting.

 After an extensive survey of the whole district, Facilities Manager Dave Brice told the board that both Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center and Kennett High School roofs are more than 30 years old and would get new roofs over the summer. Both are projected to be completed by the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

But that’s not all.

He said the high school auxiliary gym would receive a sanding down with new lines, and new LED lighting would be installed with future plans on renovating the halls.  

District CFO Mark Tracy expanded on the projects with further explanations about the planned work. 

He said that during the roof survey, he discovered substantial leaking with water found in the block walls of the gym.

The roof repair for the high school will actually be a “top coating” with two inches of insulation placed over the old roof. He said that will be a savings of the expense over doing a “tear-off-and- replace.”

The cost of the two repairs is estimated at $5.4 million.

Tracy also presented an update on the construction of the two new replacement elementary schools, New Garden and Greenwood. Both of the existing school buildings are more than 60 years old. New Garden was opened in 1957, and Greenwood was opened in 1963.

Both old schools will be demolished with the completion of the new schools, which are each estimated for occupancy in 2026.

The preliminary elementary school buildings construction cost is estimated at $110 million.

Tracy said he was pleased to announce that Kennett Township had given approval to the Greenwood Elementary Land development plan. He added that the design for the building is about 30 percent complete, and that the land development approved plans were detailed with consideration even to exits, parking and tree placement.

At New Garden, he said, they are working with township committees and sewer contractors. There, passersby will soon see the beginnings of construction with the arrival of temporary fencing, electrical lines and five construction trailers.

For both new schools, the playgrounds are still being planned, and each playground will have some unique features. Both schools will have onsite sewage systems.  

Meanwhile, the board has previously approved another construction project: a building expansion of the district office.

In other business, the board approved three contracts with outside providers:

ProCare provides independent therapists upon request of the school. The reason, said board member Ethan Cramer, is that the district has been unable to employ its own school psychologist because of the scarcity of individuals qualified for that position.

Cottage Seven Educations, a facility is in Phoenixville and provides services for chronic disruptive behavior and underachievement.

Arbitor Sports handles the administration of recruiting, credentials, clearances, paying referees and certifications for sports teams – tasks the district previously handled itself. The enrollment in Arbitor Sports is $2,300, with an additional $2,300 for initial training.