Kennett board releases proposed $103M budget, projects 2.82% tax increase

The Kennett Consolidated School District board on April 8 voted to release the proposed final general operating budget for fiscal year 2024–25 in the amount of $103,000,702 for public review. The release begins the required public‑review window ahead of final adoption on June 10.

Finance committee chair Mr. Finnegan walked the board through the changes from the preliminary budget. The package includes an assumption of the governor’s proposed commonwealth budget for basic education subsidy (the district modeled 50 percent of the governor’s proposal, accounting for about $645,000 in revenue), a reduction in special education subsidy estimated at $113,000 owing to changes in district enrollment assumptions, and an assumed Ready to Learn grant increase of $500,000. Administrators said a reduction in the Pennsylvania state employer contribution rate and lower health‑care premium projections also contributed to the budget adjustments.

Mr. Finnegan said the proposed figures lower earlier modeled tax impacts. He presented a projected real estate tax increase of approximately 2.82 percent, which the board characterized as an average residential increase of roughly $168. Board members asked clarifying questions and thanked administration for bringing down the projected increase from earlier versions.

The board approved the motion to release the proposed final budget for public review; the administration encouraged residents to examine the posted budget‑at‑a‑glance and backup documents. Final adoption will occur at the June 10 meeting, following further review and any state‑budget developments that could change assumptions in the package.

Budget items of local note referenced in the meeting included ongoing capital projects tied to New Garden and Greenwood elementary schools and a capital financing wave described as $46.6 million in bonds expected to close May 8 (financial details discussed in the treasurer’s report).