The Kennett School Board discussed an update to its comprehensive plan, recognized the upcoming retirement of a well-respected, longtime teacher, reviewed an independent audit report, and handled other items of business during its meeting on Nov. 12.

The school board accepted the audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. The report was compiled by Barbacane, Thornton & Company. The school district received what is called a “clean opinion” for its financial reporting. That means that the auditors did not have any significant reservations concerning matters contained in the financial statements. The school board thanked the district's business administrator Mark Tracy and his staff for another year of good work.

In his report to the school board, superintendent Dr. Barry Tomesetti also thanked Tracy for his work in helping the Kennett Consolidated School District secure a grant for initiatives that improve school safety. The school district collaborated with the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department to obtain funding for a school resource officer position for schools that are in New Garden Township. Tomasetti said that the district is also working with the Kennett Township Police Department to pursue additional funding for security initiatives for the school in that municipality as well.

The school board formally approved a new student club at the Kennett High School called the Kennett Battlebots Club. The Kennett Battlebots Club will function as a community service club with high school students mentoring middle and elementary school students through STEM activities with a focus on engineering.

Several school board members expressed their support for a club that would have high school students sharing their knowledge about STEM programming with younger students in the district. It will help improve STEM programming throughout the district.

There were only a few personnel items on the agenda, but when assistant superintendent Dr. Michael Barber made his report to the school board about this month's personnel items, he recognized the upcoming retirement of Michael Kelly, a math teacher at Kennett High School. Kelly is retiring with a final day set for Jan. 17 or the final day of the first semester. He has been a teacher in the district for 48.5 years, and numerous district officials and school board members expressed their gratitude to Kelly for his service to the students in the district.

School board member Aline Frank lauded Kelly for his tremendous dedication to students. She explained that Kelly taught her own children, and they had a wonderful experience.

Tomasetti shared a similar sentiment, explaining that two of his sons were taught by Kelly, and they really enjoyed the class.

Barber congratulated Kelly on a wonderful career.

“We'll certainly miss Mr. Kelly,” Barber said.

The Kennett Consolidated School District is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan. The school board formally approved the comprehensive plan for 2019 to 2022. Barber said that it was a team effort to compile the new comprehensive plan, which includes plans for things like student services, special education, and pre-kindergarten program implementation. The plan had been on public display for the month-long review period before the school board voted to file the plan with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The Kennett School Board will meet again on Monday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center.