Residents of Seaford School District go to the polls Thursday vote on an operating budget referendum.
District officials are seeking a tax increase to help make up for an anticipated $1.2 million budget shortfall next school year after when Race to the Top funding ends.
The proposed tax increase would cost about an extra 98 dollars a year or just over 8 dollars a month for the average property valued at 187-thousand dollars.
Officials say the additional revenue would allow the district to maintain innovative programs started under Race to the Top that they argue are working. It would also help reduce class sizes in elementary schools and fund school safety initiatives.
If the referendum is not approved, district officials say serious cuts could be necessary.
Polls are open from 10am to 8pm at Seaford High School.
Voters in the Smyrna School District approved both capital and operating budget referendums last weekend.