May 28 Referendum

The State of Delaware has approved their share of the funding for our next construction plan.  Now we have to get the commitment from our community for our share.  We do that through referendum and the vote will be on May 28.

What’s in it?  Mostly safety and security improvements. 

·        At both North and East elementary schools, the office is not next to the entry door.  Visitors are viewed through security camera and the door is opened electrically.  When the visitor comes through the door, it is possible for them to go wherever they want without going to the office.  At those two schools we need to move the office and reconfigure some rooms, walls and doorways so that front door and school office are together.

·        Security cameras – WTC, South, East and Central elementary all need expended security equipment.

·         Lab tables in science rooms at W.T.Chipman and some of the old floor tiles contain asbestos.  They pose no immediate danger but we have been gradually removing these old products from around the district.

·        We would like to build an enclosed corridor for students to transition between the main building and the gym at W.T.Chipman.

·        At the High school, the football field has become a bit of a safety concern and the rubberized surface is lifting off the track.  This package includes resurfacing the track and installation of an artificial surface for the football field.  This will also make it easier for us to open the field to all sports including Pop Warner, because we will no longer worry about mud and over use.

·        There are a lot of other details and small projects included in our plan that we hope to have available on our website soon. 

So what’s the cost?

The complete package will cost $7,707,300.  The State of Delaware will pay for $5,086,800 or 66% of the construction costs.  The local 34% share is $2,620,500.   This amount will be obtained by using $1,369,000 accumulated from development impact fees already collected and held presently by Kent County in the School District Capital Improvement Fund and by a slight increase in property taxes from the authorization to purchase local bonds for the rest if this referendum is successful.  The tiny tax increase will be offset by reductions in our overall debt service rate, meaning no net increase in taxes.  We’ll raise them a penny or two on one hand, while reducing them a penny or two on the other.

More details will be available soon.