It’s “Super Wednesday” for school tax referendums in the First State – with residents in three school districts heading to the polls.
The stakes may be the highest in the Christina School District. Twice last year voters rejected tax hikes and the result was the district cutting 9 million dollars from its operating budget, including 78 teachers and 14 aides.
This year’s pared down third proposal is seeking to raise $16.2 million, at a cost around $192 per year to the average homeowner. District officials say among other things the funds would help restore staffing and other cuts and help cover anticipated cost increases.
The contentious battle has draw Gov. Jack Markell into the fray – with Markell publicly backing the referendum.
The Brandywine School District is looking to raise funds for operating expenses, renovating three schools and installing artificial turf fields at its high schools. To do that, they want the average district homeowner to pay an extra $243 a year for the next three years and $206 a year after that once the $1.7 million turf project is complete.
And the Cape Henlopen School District is asking voters to approve a phased-in tax hike to pay for construction of two new elementary schools and renovations to two others. The total cost to tax payers is $48.4 million – with the increase peaking at $74 per year for the average homeowner.
Polls in all three districts are open from 10 am to 8 pm Wednesday.
