By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

The Kennett Consolidated School Board of Directors on Monday approved a final 2026-27 preliminary budget of $112 million, which includes a proposed tax increase of 3.7 percent for property owners.

Although the final vote on the item is not formally mandated until the June meeting, the board accepted what was deemed the “final” budget because they have now received notification of all the state and federal supports that need to be calculated in the figures.

State support is up, but federal support is down by about 6 percent.

Given the 3.7 percent increase, the average property owner in the district whose property is assessed at about $180,000 will be paying $6,553 in school property taxes, which is $233 more than last year when the average tax bill was $6,320.

School district CFO Mark Tracy said that district officials are still working to improve the budget figures and limit the potential tax increase as much as possible when a final budget is adopted.

In other business, the board unanimously approved the appointment of Willa Hightower to fill the open position on the school board. The vacancy was created by the resignation last month of Lenda Corillo, who is moving out of the school district.

Hightower was not present at Monday’s meeting because she told them she would be traveling. She will represent Region A, which includes Kennett Square Borough. Each geographical region (A, B and C) has three representatives on the board.

in her monthly report to the board, Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders announced the successes of the most recent field trips as well as a list of students who have been honored beyond the local level for achievements. Students were engaged in three overseas field trips in recent weeks, including trips to China, Germany and Italy.

She also praised students who excelled in various fields beyond the local level. They included wrestling, swimming and basketball.

The board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding for the assignment of a school resource police office to deal with incidences connected to state and federal law. This officer will be trained by the local police and will work in the schools. The duties of this police officer, according to the memorandum, will be to address only serious incidents and crimes.

School board President Dave Kronenberg announced the availability of a publication of issues that the combined representatives of local school districts have submitted for state legislative consideration.

He said not all of the issues would make it to the state level for legislation consideration. They are many and varied including possession/use of cell phones in schools, requirements for teaching cursive, and occasions for flag flying, among many others.

Facilities Director Dave Brice talked about the progress that has been made on the construction of two new elementary schools in the school district.

New Garden is almost finished and is now undergoing final cleaning and installing facilities. Greenwood is in the process of getting mechanical devices and plumbing installed. The public will be invited to tour the buildings in August, Kronenberg said.