New schools up for a vote in Delaware

Appoquinimink School District residents will vote Tuesday on a plan to build new schools, and expand or renovate others.

Residents in the rapidly growing Appoquinimink School District will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a school referendum that would allow the district to build new schools and expand others.

School officials say 400 new students enrolled in the district this year, and they’ve seen 1,500 new students over the last three years.  That growth is pushing some classrooms to the limit.  They say without new facilities, the district will exceed it’s capacity for pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.

To deal with the rapid increase in student population, the district plans on building a new 840 student elementary school and a 330-student early childhood center.  Some existing schools will be expanded and some older classrooms will be renovated to improve the use of space.

The cost of the new construction and improvements stands at $64.6-million.  The state will pick up 75% of the costs, which translates to about $48.4-million.  The remaining more than $16-million will be paid for by district residents, but school officials say a ‘yes’ vote on the referendum won’t mean an increase in taxes.  That feat will be achieved thanks in part to the growing population in the district.  Part of the money will come from developers of new homes who have to pay an impact fee for the homes they build.  Other funding will come from new homeowners who will begin paying school taxes at the current rate.  The district also plans on paying off previously issued bonds, which will reduce overall debt.

Polls will be open from 10 AM to 8 PM.  For more info on the district’s plan, click here.