By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

Property owners in the Kennett Consolidated School District can expect to receive a real estate bill 2.8 percent higher than last year, if the preliminary budget presented on Feb. 10 remains unchanged.

Board Treasurer and Financial Committee Chair Mike Finnegan displayed a 2025-26 projected operating budget diagram of $107.2 million compared with the 2024-25 budget of $104.2 million.

The millage rate will likewise increase 2.8 percent from 33.6498 mills to 34.5924 mills.

A mill is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

The average taxpayer who last year paid $6,168 will owe $6,340 this year – an increase of $173.

Finnegan said, “We will work all year to try to bring that down.”

Historically, he said, he and the administration have been successful in lowering the original number somewhat.

The final vote to approve the budget for the next school year will be at the June meeting.

In other business, Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders reported on the district’s response to a recently altered federal policy that permits immigration officers to enter “sensitive” facilities to arrest undocumented residents in churches, hospitals, domestic violence protection shelters and schools.

Kennett Consolidated School District has a 44 percent population of students who identify as Mexican, but does not identify whether they are documented or undocumented.

Rizzo Saunders recently issued a letter to the public saying that she has met with her staff to deal with any eventuality in that situation and that protecting the safety of the students is utmost in their priorities.

“We want to make sure school is a stable community for all students,”  Rizzo Saunders said.

The students are protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, which means that the students’ information cannot be given out, she said. Staff is also forbidden to share that information with officers who inquire to obtain student status.

The school will follow long-established protocols with requiring identification and appropriateness for visitors as well.

Meanwhile, she added, “We will follow any legally required action,” including the requiring presentation of a judicial warrant by those who seek enforcement entrance into the schools.

Rizzo Saunders also reported that she has established subcommittees to explore, respond to and establish procedures based on the information she obtained from interviewing stakeholders in the first two months of her arrival as superintendent of KCSD.

The subcommittees are addressing six key areas: curriculum, technology, student support, facilities, human resources and continue to explore information, communication.

They will continue to explore information, identify areas that need further exploration and “effectively communicate key data to the broader community.”

The board unanimously approved updates in the policies of child abuse and bullying.

In the case of observations of child abuse by the superintendent or designee, that observer will inform a law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction of the school’s property.

The policy on bullying prohibits any bullying by students. This includes cyber bullying.

Dean Ivory, the supervisor of innovative programs, has established a leadership academy for students. The purpose of the program is to connect students with hands-on learning that will enhance their future work and lives. Several students spoke to the board about their support of the program and how they had learned significant skills by participating in and working with actual businesses and professionals, including those in construction and teaching.

Ivory said it is important to him to start with hands-on education at the elementary school level and follow that through all the school years.