Districts that have had successful referendums are now planning designs, construction bids, and how projects will be phased over the next few years.

Here’s what happens now in districts whose referendums passed

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Now that Colonial, Red Clay and Brandywine have had successful referendums, residents of those school districts may be wondering when they’ll have to pony up finances and when they’ll see new facilities. Delaware school districts that have had a successful referendum typically phase their spending over three years or more.  The concept of the referendum isn’t widespread nationally.  Delaware is …

Several school districts will hold a referendum this year to raise local revenue.

5 school districts to hold tax hike referenda in 2024

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Five of Delaware’s 19 school districts are asking their residents to head to the polls in 2024 and vote for a local tax increase. In the First State, districts must hold referendums if they want to increase their local school tax in order to increase local revenue. They include the Brandywine, Red Clay Consolidated, Colonial, Smyrna and Appoquinimink. Schools get …

Carl Rifino and Joshua Donophan have been selected as Delaware's 2023 delegates for the U.S. Senate Youth Program. (Unsplash)

Kent County seniors picked for U.S. Senate Youth Program

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Joshua Donophan wanted to join a program that sends students to the U.S. Senate for a week because he believes it’s crucial to understand how the nation’s government officials think and how the government operates. Now the Lake Forest High School senior is getting a $10,000 college scholarship to do that. Donophan and Smyrna High School senior Carl Rifino both …

Smyrna will use $450,000 to install lights at Smyrna Middle School's multisport turf field. (Pexels)

Smyrna to spend $450,000 in COVID funds to light turf field

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A Smyrna School District’s board decision to use the district’s $450,000 in pandemic relief and more to install lighting at its middle school’s turf field didn’t pass without debate. The proposal touched off a flurry of comments about whether that is the best use of the one-time federal money. The district has $80 million in deferred maintenance, according to Roger …

Proposed bill would allow public to see course outlines, materials

Charlie MegginsonEducation, Government, Headlines

A Republican State Representative plans to file a bill in the General Assembly to give parents a better idea of what their children are being taught, and how, in Delaware schools.  It comes as one Smyrna parent’s complaint about a sexually explicit required reading has been rapidly making the rounds on social media and local radio.  The proposed bill, sponsored …

Moms say they will keep kids home rather than send to school masked

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Some Delaware parents say they will keep their children out of classrooms rather than send them wearing a mask. Some parents who oppose Gov. John Carney’s mandate requiring school children and those in childcare to wear masks indoors say they will not send their kids back to school. “For my kid personally, it’s not good for his mental state,” said …