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March referendums slated for three school districts in state

Delaware Public Media

March 23rd is turning out to be a “Super Wednesday” of sorts for voters in three Delaware school districts - Cape Henlopen, Brandywine, and Christina.

For the third time in just over a year, the Christina School District will ask residents to approve a tax hike to help hire back teachers and pay school bills. The district made major budget cuts last year after residents voted down two tax referendums in a row.

Meanwhile, Brandywine school officials say their request would pay for major improvements at several schools, maintaining current school programs and putting in turf athletic fields at each district high school.

Last week, the Cape Henlopen School Board unanimously voted to approve a tax referendum to rebuild and renovate five elementary schools.

Taxpayers will return to the polls just two years after approving a referendum to pay for a new elementary school Lewes.

Cape School Board Vice President Alison Myers hopes for a similar outcome in March.

“There are a lot of other school districts in the state that are lining up for state funds to renovate or expand their districts," she says. “So I would hope that we do as a good of job this time communicating the need and the urgency to the community as we did last time.”

If passed, Cape region property owners will pay $48 million as the local share of the building project.  The State has already agreed to kick in $106 million if the referendum is successful.

 

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