Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 157, No. 20
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
$1.50
Kennett School Board approves updated policies for guns and drugs By Chris Barber Contributing Writer The Kennett School Board has approved upgrades to the school district's weapons and drug policies, but not without extended dialogue about the nature of enforcement applied to student violators. Policy Committee Chairman Don Kohler presented the details of the two policies at the May 8 board meeting. The resolutions were then put on the table by Assistant Superintendent
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Michael Barber and were approved by the board. Kohler introduced the topics, saying that they were “not an easy nut to crack.” The code defines weapons as knives, cutting instrument, firearms and other implements capable of inflicting bodily harm. But it also includes “replicas” of weapons, which could call into question things like water pistols and butter knives. The policy provides that the board “shall expel,” for not less than a year, any stu-
dent who is in possession of a “weapon.” Kohler advised further conversations with local law enforcement to determine exactly what replicas of weapons are. “We don’t want to be accused of arbitrarily treating a sstudent unfairly, because what is a replica?" he said. "What if I put my finger up as if it is a gun? We don't want to go down that rabbit hole. "The policy includes wording that states, “(T)he superintendent may recom-
mend modifications of such expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.” Board member Ethan Cramer took issue with the expression “shall expel” and said it more appropriately should say “may expel.” Kohler referenced the discretion clause that is given to the superintendent in the wording, but Cramer claimed that he was still uncomfortable with it. Superintendent Dusty Blakey assured Cramer and the other members of the board that he has
New Garden Township Manager Christopher Himes unveiled a new initiative at the May 15 Board of Supervisors meeting that if adopted would create a rental inspection program in the township intended to enhance “the quality of life Photo by Richard L. Gaw and living conditions withNew Garden Township Manager Christopher Himes in New Garden Township introduced a new initiative at the May 15 Board of for residents engaged in a Supervisors meeting that if adopted would create a landlord-tenant lease.” rental inspection program in the township.
St. Pat’s breaks ground on Cornerstone Project…1B
FROM OUR LENS A ribbon for the future and for preserving the past
The proposal calls for the implementation of a program that utilizes the standards and protocol set by the International Property Maintenance Code (IMPC), as published by the International Code Council. Once adopted in ordinance form, the program would enforce rental inspection regulations, create mandatory rental property registration and inspection timeframes, and enforce penalties for any
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Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Kennett Township held a ceremony on May 13 to officially open the Spar Hill Farm and Preserve. Joining township supervisor Richard Leff in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Rep. Christina Sappey, Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, current supervisors Scudder Stevens and Geoffrey Gamble and former supervisor Whitney Hoffman. For a complete story and additional photos, see Page 3B.
violations found. Under the plan, the township would appoint code officials and code officers to inspect rental properties for safety, and report any violations of adopted cods and initiate remedial action or prosecution of offenders. “This is a renter protection program to ensure that we are doing as much as we possibly can to assure quality of life for those Continued on page 4A
KCSD and Borough Council work to bring parking lot lease fees current By HaLeigh Abbott Contributing Writer
© 2007 The Chester County Press
subject to discipline, which may include exclusion from school and referral for prosecution,” the policy states. It adds, however, ”(T)he superintendent may recommend to the board any measures he or she deems reasonable and necessary to control such abuse, even if his or her recommendation exceeds the minimum standards of this policy. The board may require participation in drug counseling.” The policy also provides that the superintendent
New Garden introduces proposed rental inspection program By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Styer’s to host fifth annual Peony Festival May 18-28………….3A
monthly meetings with Kennett Square Police Chief William Holdsworth to discuss any legal matters that come up. He added that the main purpose of the weapons code is to ensure student safety. A discussion of the drug policy followed. The drug policy forbids the possession and distribution of mind-altering illegal drugs as well as being under the influence of such in the school. “Any student who violates this prohibition shall be
The Kennett Square Consolidated School District and the Borough of Kennett Square have reached an agreement over unpaid lease fees for a borough parking lot located across from the high school. The agreement, originally signed in 1999, allowed the school district to lease the parking lot during school days and hours at a cost of $5,000 per year. A review of the agreement showed missed payments dating to at least 2017. Both the school district and the borough changed
financial recording systems during 2017, and records of any paid lease fees prior to 2017 were lost during the transition. The topic was discussed at the May 3 and May 5 public meetings of Kennett Square Borough Council. Borough council member Bob Norris said, “We both in good faith have said, let’s set the back payments to the 2017-2018 school year which is when we both have reliable financial records related to this agreement.” This agreement would bring a total balance of $30,000 due to the borough. Continued on page 3A
State Rep. Lawrence holds Senior Expo at Barn of Nottingham By Betsy Brewer Brantner entering a barn surroundContributing Writer ed by beautiful farmland and a pond. It was quite State Rep. John Lawrence a welcome to the senior recently held the always population that benefitted popular Senior Expo from a wealth of informathis year at the Barn of tion available during the Nottingham, located behind Senior Expo. the Wawa in Nottingham. Lawrence addressed what The Barn was the per- has been a hot topic of late fect spot to hold this event. within his district. It showcased a new venue “Many of the people, in the area and provided young and old, were anxthe much-needed parking ious about Christiana for an event of this size. It Hospital coming in to locate was estimated that over 250 where Jennersville Regional people attended this year. Hospital was,” Lawrence It was a step back in time, said.
Lawrence has been a catalyst in seeking a medical facility to replace Jennersville. With numerous age-restricted (over 55) developments, Jenner’s Pond Nursing Facility and Luther House, an affordable senior housing complex, surrounding the hospital, medical care in this area is critical. Lawrence and his office can provide help and assistance with many problems, including obtaining long Mickie Mooney, Sherie Rubincan, Kathy Book and State Rep. John Lawrence answered questions and form birth certificates Continued on page 2A
provided information to a packed house at the Senior Expo at the Barn at Nottingham.