It’s going to be a busy few months of referendum voting for Delawareans.
And schools are saying it’s time. Districts across the state are looking to keep up with rising costs of operation, demands of growing student populations, resources to stay competitive and more. These public systems must hold referendums if they want to raise taxes or be able to buy bonds. Some are coming to the polls for the first time in years, while others return to the table after voter rejection just last year.
Voters have passed over half the referendum measures floated in the past decade, election results show. But by December of last year, that approval rate for 2023 was brought down to just 15%.
If reassessments are on the mind: Most districts say they will remain “revenue neutral” after reassessments. Per state law, districts are capped at a 10% provision for additional revenue.
Anyone who lives in the district and is a U.S. citizen 18 or older can cast a ballot. Near the top of the year, Brandywine, Red Clay, Colonial, Smyrna, Cape Henlopen and Appoquinimink schools are hoping to see these voters head to the polls to further support their students and educators.