Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 157, No. 28
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
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Kennett School Board extends superintendent’s contract By Chris Barber Contributing Writer The Kennett Consolidated School District Board unanimously approved the extension of Superintendent Dusty Blakey’s contract through the academic year ending in 2029 at its meeting on Monday night. Blakey had no comment following the vote, but the action was greeted with applause from both the board and the members of the audience at the Mary D.
INSIDE
Lang Kindergarten Center library. Blakey, 59, came to the district as its eighth superintendent in January of 2020. Six weeks into his tenure, he was faced with the challenges of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Morgan State University, Blakey obtained a master’s degree in educational leadership and a doctorate in administration and pub-
lic policy, both from the University of Delaware. In his career he has been a social studies teacher, a wrestling coach and superintendent of the Colonial School District in Delaware. The board also unanimously approved several resolutions aimed at enhancing the educational programs of the district. First, Heather Collins, the district’s director of pupil services and supports, requested approval
Genesis plans to downsize in Kennett Square Company announces that it may sell one or both of its buildings on State Street
Destination Delaware
Jams and jellies, joy and Jar’d...1B
to enter into a three-year contract with Solution Tree of Indiana. The contract with this company provides professional development services like lectures and conferences for the teaching staff and, possibly by request, the school board. The cost for the first year was published on the agenda as $90,387. Preceding her presentation, several teachers reported on a professional development conference in Minneapolis that 52 of
the staff had attended this summer. There they met with other teachers from throughout the nation and said they were inspired by the ideas and problemsolving they participated in while they were there. Board President Vicki Gehrt voiced approval of staff participating in professional development in dialogue with other educators. She said it moves the educational process forward. Continued on page 2A
Photo by Chris Barber
The Kennett School Board voted unanimously to extend the contract of Superintendent Dusty Blakey.
FROM OUR LENS ‘This is your future captain speaking’
Genesis HealthCare, the large employer that played an important role in Kennett Square’s revitalization successes over the last four decades, announced last week that it has plans to downsize operations in the borough, and may sell one or both of the buildings that dominate State Street. The company said that the ability for workers to do their jobs from remote locations has made it unnecessary to maintain such large corporate offices. Here is the statement issued by the company: Dear Kennett Square Community: Since 1985, Genesis has been a proud member of the Kennett Square community, starting with our founder Michael R. Walker. We have truly valued our longstanding relationship and have been honored to call Kennett Square our home for nearly 40 years. After several successful years of remote work, we have determined that the space in Kennett Square is too large for our needs. As a result, we have made the difficult decision to downsize our Kennett Square office space. Throughout the month of July, we are initiating a much-needed clean-out of our offices at 101 E. State Street and 128 E. State Street. This initiative will prepare us for a possible sale of one or both of our buildings and subsequent move into a smaller space for departments that need to remain onsite.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
A few of the 130 campers at the first of two sold-out Future Aviators Camps experimented with bottle rocket aviation at the New Garden Flying Field on July 10. Designed to introduce young people ages 7-15 to the wonders of aviation, the camp includes five full days of hands-on exposure to aviation. This year’s camps will teach students how to design, build and fly their own balsa gliders; learn the basics of pre-flight planning and navigation; receive an introductory flight with a certified flight instructor; and also include a day trip to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
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Continued on page 3A
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St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church plans expansion to reach out to community By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer The St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Oxford is planning an expansion of its home at 116 Lancaster Pike. Rev. Dr. Mary Mertz hopes the expansion will help create new interest in the community. Mertz came to St. Christopher’s in 2011 and was aware of how diverse the community is. She had previously taught at Lincoln University and continues to reach out to university. The Lincoln University Choir was invited to perform at the church and after that they have been singing all around the region. “I was looking for a community that cared, a welcoming and inclusive community,” Mertz said “We have always been that. NSC (Neighborhood Services Center) actually started in our basement. We have always been com-
mitted to Oxford and all of the agencies here, like the Lighthouse. A lot of the work we have done is underground. As we came out of the pandemic our mission was outreach, to serve all people that need us. “We are always striving to engage people and understand how we can be a place that is open for them to engage their spirit without a hook. We want to build a gathering space for those that need it. We want to create a space that all of the community can use.” Mertz continued, “At St. Christopher’s we are all about being inclusive. We work in partnership with SILO to help the homeless. We provide a place for them to shower. They may be going to a job interview and we open the church house and provide what they need, if it is only a cup of coffee.” Mertz was aware of the diverse cultures, marginalized people in the
community, the lowincome, migrant workers, and the LGBTQ community. She said the church welcomes people of all races and ethnic backgrounds. For those not familiar with the Episcopal Church, she described it as a cross between Roman Catholic and Protestant. “Our liturgy is similar to the Catholic faith while our preaching may be more protestant,” she explained. The church recently received a grant from the state, in part as a result of the work by State Sen. Carolyn Comitta. The church will be able to make important safety and security upgrades thanks to $150,000 in state funding. Comitta believes members of all faith communities deserve an opportunity to gather safely and peacefully. With the funding she secured. St. Christopher’s can upgrade its facilities to help ensure Continued on page 4A
Patrick Quinlan selected for U.S.A. under-17 national team
In goal: Local hockey sensation aiming for the big time
Courtesy photo
Sixteen-year-old Patrick Quinlan of Kennett Square was recently selected to play for the U.S.A. National Under-17 Hockey Team.
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Cup champion eventually wrestles control of the exceptionally large trophy At the conclusion of the from his fellow teammates, last game of every National cradles it like a baby to Hockey League season, the his chest, and then hoists Continued on page 2A goalie for every Stanley