KCSD Board of Education holds first meeting of 2014/2015 school year
By Kim Chiomento, Staff Writer, The Times
The Kennett Consolidated School District Board of Education held it’s first meeting ofthe new school year, Monday night at Kennett High School.
KENNETT – The Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) held its first School Board meeting of 2014/2015 school year Monday evening in the Kennett High School Auditorium.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barry Tomasetti, opened the meeting by enthusiastically underscoring the district’s recent recognition in Newsweek Magazine and its PA Department of Education District Profile Score of 94.4% which places KCSD in the top 7% of schools state-wide. Additionally, Tomasetti recognized Kennett High School’s (KHS) many Advance Placement (AP) Scholars and their achievements and thanked the teachers, parents and students “who continue to make the KCSD a great place to learn.”
Second readings and approvals were completed on the following School Board Policy Sections: 322 – Gifts (employees), 337-Vacation (employees), 343-Paid Holidays (employees), 810.2 Transportation-Video/Audio Recording (operations), 903 Public Participation in Board Meetings. Of note, additional discussion was dedicated to section 322 defining and interpreting “excessive.” Also, New Garden Township resident, Jim Diluzio, was granted time to provide opposing opinion on proposed changes to Section 903.
Board members provided updates on five Committees: Curriculum, Facilities & Operations, Finance, Liaison & Communication, and Personnel. Special note was made by Mr. Perigo, on behalf of the Facilities & Operations Committee, that 21 improvement projects were completed in various KCSD schools this summer.
The August 2014 Enrollment Report lists 4,247 students registered within the district, an increase of 43 students over the August 2013 report. Board President, Heather Schaen, noted that KCSD strives to maintain a student to teacher ratio of 22:1 in grades K thru 3 and 25:1 in upper elementary grades with few exceptions.
KHS Student Council representative, Thomas Spell, said “The school year is off to a great start,” and complemented the many KHS student who volunteered at last weekend’s Mushroom Festival. Spell reviewed various planned activities for KHS’ very popular Spirit Week, September 15-19. The week culminates with the KHS homecoming game 7:15 PM, next Friday night, versus Oxford High School.
Dr. Tomasetti reported that the KCSD Collaborative Assessment Plan (CAP) has successfully been modified and meets all new standards ending with complementary closing words, “Hats off to everyone involved in this time consuming, but very important committee, great work!”
The September 8th meeting concluded promptly at 8:30 PM. The next meeting of the KCSD School board is Monday, October 13 -7, PM at Greenwood Elementary School. For additional information and detailed copies of KCSD School Board meeting minutes visit: www.kcsd.org.
