Appo's referendum will take place Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Appo referendum Dec. 12; would increase taxes $435 yearly

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Appoquinimink School District residents will have the opportunity to vote for or against a tax increase via a referendum on Tuesday, Dec. 12.  In its board meeting Tuesday night, Superintendent Matthew Burrows explained the revenue would be put towards toward three new school buildings, a bus lot, educator recruiting and retention efforts, technology and safety initiatives.  He said the referendum …

Odessa High's marching band was formally invited Thursday to perform in London's 2025 New Year's Day parade. (From left: Bob Bone, Duncan Sandys, Ruby Wall, Emma Sipes).

Just ducky! Odessa band to perform in ’25 London parade

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The Ducks of Odessa High School will be flocking their way across the pond for New Year’s Day 2025. The Appoquinimink school’s marching band on Thursday was formally invited to perform in the London’s New Year’s Day Parade in 14 months.  “Since the start of our program three years ago, we have been working tirelessly to become the best versions …

The award honors schools for excellence in counseling.

Appo, Capital schools win award for excellence in counseling

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Two Delaware schools have been awarded the Sapphire Award for Excellence in School Counseling. Appoquinimink School District’s Bunker Hill Elementary School and Capital School District’s Kent County Secondary Intensive Learning Center were announced winners Monday in what is the state’s fourth year giving out the recognition. The award honors school counseling programs that are comprehensive, data-informed and designed to serve …

Delaware had three schools recognized as national 2023 Blue Ribbon Schools.

3 Delaware schools earn national award for excellence

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Three schools in Delaware were among the 353 across America that have been honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. Appoquinimink School District’s Olive B. Loss Elementary School in Bear, Christina School District’s Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Newark and Indian River School District’s Lord Baltimore Elementary School in Ocean View are the three awarded by U.S. Secretary of …

Crystal Run Elementary opened its doors to families Thursday.

Appo opens new Crystal Run Elementary School

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

After two years of construction, Appoquinimink School District’s newest elementary school opened its doors to students and parents Thursday night.  Crystal Run Elementary, located at 1470 Aviator Way in Middletown, sits in a sea of corn fields, sparking the feel of the movie “Field of Dreams.”  About 400 students from grades one through five will attend this school year, with …

Appo seeks a tax increase for next year.

Appo to seek increase to property taxes for 23-24 school year

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The Appoquinimink School District voted this week to approve a tax increase.  Tuition taxes are used in conjunction with state and federal funds to support students with special needs. The school board will ask for a rate increase of 1.42 cents per $100 of assessed home value. According to Danielle Pro-Hudson, district chief communication officer, the tax increase is part …

HB 125 would give all students free breakfast and lunch.

Moore hawks bill to give all students free breakfast, lunch

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Rep. Sherae’a Moore, D-Middletown, pushed her bill to give all Delaware students free breakfast and lunch during a roundtable discussion Wednesday evening. The roundtable at Everett Meredith Middle School included administrators, medical professionals, teachers, school nutritionists and other stakeholders who would like to see universal free breakfast and lunch. Several members of the table said that hunger affects students, both …

Danielle Deinert was the solo participant in the forum Wednesday. 

Milford’s Deinert against banning books, for LGBTQ+ support

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Danielle Deinert, a candidate for Milford School District’s board, fielded questions on key education issues like LGBTQ+ rights, critical race theory and school safety in a forum Wednesday night.  Milford’s forum is one of six hosted by First State Action Fund, a local group aiming to reinvent education in Delaware. The series is intended to help voters understand candidate’s positions …

The new Louis L. Redding building will be open in fall 2025. (Jarek Rutz/Delaware LIVE News)

Appoquinimink breaks ground on new Louis L. Redding school

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A historic Middletown school building is getting a $57.1 million makeover. The Louis L. Redding Building, part of Appoquinimink School District and named after the first Black practicing lawyer in Delaware, will have a new home in two years. District and government officials on Tuesday broke ground on the new building, which will be right in front of the current …

2 Appo school board candidates fielded questions Wednesday.

Only 2 of 4 Appo school board candidates attend board’s Q&A

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Appoquinimink school board candidates answered questions about transgender bathrooms, equity and inclusion, goals for the board and more Wednesday night. The district’s school board hosted a question-and-answer session Wednesday night to allow families in the district to get to know candidates. Two of the four attended: Tim Johns, a pastor, and Ray Petkevis, a realtor. The other two candidates, Madeline …