GEORGETOWN, Del. — Delaware's teachers union is calling on the Sussex County Council to require developers to contribute toward the cost of new school construction.
The Delaware State Education Association says unchecked residential growth has overwhelmed schools in the Cape Henlopen, Indian River and Milford school districts. They argue that developers, who they say profit from large housing projects, should be responsible for part of the cost associated with expanding and building new schools.
"While developers are getting rich from building massive new housing projects, it’s the existing Sussex County residents who are being forced to pay the bill for school construction needed to accommodate that growth," the Delaware State Education Association wrote in a statement posted online.
Fees debated before, ordinance dropped in 2024
In 2024, Sussex County Council decided not to pursue an ordinance regarding the implementation of a Voluntary School Assessment. One of the councilmembers, Mark Schaeffer, said the tax would impact middle and lower class individuals. The fee was a campaign issue in the race for that seat in District 3. Schaeffer lost re-election to Jane Gruenebaum, who has vocally supported such a fee.
In October 2024, the Cape Henlopen School District attended Sussex County Council meetings urging Council to consider the fee.
The Delaware State Education Association is encouraging locals to pressure the Sussex County Council into adopting a developer impact fee policy by using a call-to-action tool on their website.