The Kennett Consolidated School District board at its Sept. 11 meeting unanimously approved a resolution that maps a path for responding to public questions or issues.  

Labelled “protocols to guide Board members’ interactions with each other,” it was presented without comment, recitation or explanation.

Board President Vicki Gehrt said it had been developed at the board’s annual summer retreat.

The 10-point list stipulates, among other things, that board members must notify the superintendent before making an “official visit.”

The board members must also avoid words that give a negative impression of an individual, the board or the district.

When someone from the public presents a topic for question, the board president or superintendent may indicate that the speaker’s issue will be researched and/or a response will be made by the superintendent.

And if a board member has a new topic, it must be presented at a committee meeting for review and, only then, if approved by that committee, will it be moved to the full board.

Gehrt said if the public wants to read the details, the resolution is available on the board’s website as part of the Sept. 11 agenda.

During his report on the progress of the construction of the two new elementary schools, district CFO Mark Tracy gained an approval to move funds from the district’s fund balance in 2024 and 2025 to keep the debt service from having an excessive effect on taxes. The budget has been set for about $8 million per year for the payment of debt service until 2030, and the amount on the next two years would exceed that without amelioration.

The board approved unanimously the contracts with three agencies for support services. They are

No Boundaries for translations, Aveanna Healthcare for nursing, and Stepping Stones for therapy and behavioral support.

Tracy said these contracts would not change the budget inasmuch as they were replacing services that were already included.

In other business, Superintendent Dusty Blakey thanked the local and regional law enforcement agencies for keeping in touch with him and advising actions during the search for escaped criminal Danelo Cavalcante before he was apprehended last Wednesday.

On a sad note, Gehrt announced that the school district’s Facilities Director George Wolhafe died suddenly on Aug. 27.