Kristy L. Brady

This document outlines the Academic Standards for Career Education and Work for Grades K-12, designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing workforce and support Pennsylvania's economic future. The standards are structured around four key concepts: Career Awareness and Exploration, Employability Skills, Growth and Advancement, and Personal Interests and Career Planning. These grade-banded standards aim to foster skills, continuous learning, and innovation necessary for student success.

This Comprehensive School Counseling Plan outlines a transition from a traditional guidance counseling model to an evidenced-based, ASCA-aligned framework for the Kennett Consolidated School District. The plan's mission is to empower every student in academic success, social-emotional growth, and postsecondary and career readiness. Key goals include achieving at least 80% implementation of ASCA National Model practices and increasing partner understanding and program consistency to 70% by 2029. It leverages a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework, emphasizing data-driven approaches, equitable access, and collaborative partnerships with students, families, educators, and community agencies to remove barriers and promote holistic student development.

The document details a comprehensive Career Placement and Transition Services program spanning grades 3-12. It outlines specific guidance activities for elementary, middle, and high school students, focusing on preparing them for employment, postsecondary education, or military service. Key activities include entrepreneurship, career surveys and exploration, development of positive work habits, visits to technical high schools and colleges, budgeting, resume building, course selection, and support for college applications and financial aid.

The meeting, specifically designated as a Curriculum Committee meeting, focused on piloting core programs for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) within the district, which is part of the broader Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) plan. Key challenges addressed included the lack of a consistent, research-based Tier One core SEL curriculum and specific needs identified in grades 7 through 9 based on the DESA screener results. The committee utilized the CASTLE (Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning) program guide to vet potential programs. Four programs were initially identified: Character Strong, Wayfinder, Better Together Cubed, and Second Step. The selection criteria emphasized K-12 alignment, ready-made materials, availability in English and Spanish, and Tier One/Tier Two materials for both students and families. The timeline projects virtual demos in January 2026, finalization in February, pilot launch in March, and evaluation in May. The pilot phase for the two selected programs is free, including initial training, with estimated costs for full adoption around $150,000 for the chosen program. Feedback mechanisms include teacher input and supervisor walkthroughs during the pilot phase.

The Finance Committee meeting addressed the general operating budget update for the Kennet Consolidated School District. Discussions covered the process for determining the budget timeline relative to the Act One index, including options for waving the index, seeking referendum exceptions for retirement or special education costs, or proceeding to a public referendum for increased funding needs. The committee reviewed the assessed valuation growth, noting a base increase of 21,700 from the previous year, while also accounting for assessment appeals which can offset growth. Furthermore, the meeting involved a detailed rollover analysis for salaries and benefits, which constitute 62% of the budget. The analysis covered individual employee benefit elections and the incorporation of collective bargaining agreements for salary steps. Mandatory contributions such as FICA tax, retirement, unemployment, and workers' compensation were reviewed, noting state subsidy offsets for FICA and pension contributions.