LEWES, Del. - On Monday night, the Cape Henlopen School District held a community meeting on its upcoming 2020 referendum. The district is in need of more local revenue due to increasing enrollment.
Cape’s Superintendent Bob Fulton says, “it's primarily because of our growth in students. We really planned ahead well for structure, schools, space for students, but one thing we haven't, and need more help with, is the operating money because of additional enrollment.”
According to the district, enrollment has grown from 4,150 students in 2001 to 5,861 students as of January 2020.
The 2020 referendum proposes a $0.25 tax increase, which amounts to $64.05 per year for the average homeowner, creating a little over $3 million in revenue.
“This will help to hire all of the staff we qualify for, to keep class sizes as low as possible, help with technology, technology replacement. It will help with some of our energy costs, safety issues in the district. Overall just continue the momentum we started so we can do really good things here,” says Fulton.
Opinions on the tax increase varied as some were concerned about the cost.
“The school did present a valuable case on why they need the increase … I don't know that I can. I don't know that any senior can. Can we afford that price? It is a hefty chunk on somebody who's living on a fixed income,” says Ken. C.
Superintendent Fulton says passing the referendum is crucial, and their goal is to keep improving, “to operate those schools and to keep providing great opportunity for our staff and students is really paramount right now.”
The district says that studies show the enrollment will continue to increase significantly over the next 2 decades.
The referendum will take place on March 31st from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. with Cape Henlopen High School, Mariner Middle School, and Rehoboth Elementary School as polling locations. The next community meeting will be held on March 19th at H.O. Brittingham Elementary School at 6 p.m.
