Appo schools hope again to avoid cuts, boost funding amid 'rapid' growth: Education roundup
Kelly PowersThree, yes. Two, no.
So has been the record this year for referendum votes in Delaware. February saw nearly 4 out of every 5 Brandywine voters approve an operational referendum; then, Red Clay voters loudly approved operation and capital-project requests at roughly 71% each, just one day before Colonial's would do the same.
Come March, two districts didn't ride the same wave. Smyrna schools saw funding requests rejected, with over half the votes coming against each ask, while Cape Henlopen voters delivered a similar result at the end of the month.
Now, Appoquinimink will take its next shot at a two-part request for more funding, after December rejection sent the district back to the drawing board. This Tuesday, April 23, Appo will ask voters to return to the polls for modified operational and capital asks.
Cape has also set May 21 for its next attempt, trimming down its previous requests.
In this weekly roundup, we'll catch you up on these and other education updates you may have missed.
[Did we miss another good education story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com.]
Appoquinimink schools look again for funding boosts, hoping to avoid cuts
Last year, voters said no.
After the December vote, Superintendent Matthew Burrows told Delaware Online/The News Journal that voters’ rejection of referendum measures makes it impossible for the district to keep up with "rapid" growth. That's about 17% in the last five years.
He explained that the money would have gone to building new schools, improving safety, investing in technology and increasing teacher salaries to boost retention.
Now, his district gets another shot.
Tuesday, at polls from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., the district will again lay out its two-part request. There are polling places on every school campus. Both slightly modified, one ask is operational — looking to keep up growth through teacher recruitment, safety improvements and investment in technology — and the other relates to capital spending, aiming to expand facilities that serve students.
Capital projects would include:
- A middle school and high school on the Summit Campus — expected to open in fall 2028 if plans keep
- An elementary school on Green Giant Road — expected to open by fall 2028
On the operational side:
- Educator recruitment and retention
- School safety
- Operating expenses associated with enrollment growth
- Student devices
For these requests, Appo is now seeking an increase of 39.9 cents for every $100 in assessed property value. That's lower than December's 47 cents per $100; no longer includes a bus lot project; and cuts about 3 cents pledged to tech, like full implementation of 1:1 devices for all K-12 students.
If Tuesday's referendum is not successful, Appo says it will have to identify $5 million in cost reductions. Cuts would likely impact classroom support, after-school activities, sports and more.
Some neighbors to the south are also coming back to the drawing board.
Cape Henlopen School District will try again on its referendum asks, having set the next vote for May 21. The system will now seek 39.1 cents per $100 of assessed value, trimmed from 54.9 cents per $100 in the previous request.
Last year:Appoquinimink referendum was the latest: Why attempts to raise school funds keep failing
Delaware elementary school named national finalist in Harlem Globetrotters creativity contest
Clayton Intermediate School has been selected as a 2024 national finalist in an elementary school creativity contest sponsored by Jersey Mike’s Subs and the Harlem Globetrotters.
The “Court of Creativity presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs" aims to inspire students to display their talents through projects related to the Globetrotters or basketball, according to a press release.
As a top-10 selection by a panel of judges, Clayton Intermediate has been awarded a $1,000 donation from Jersey Mike’s Subs. One grand prize winner will receive a visit from the Harlem Globetrotters before the end of the 2023-24 school year.
Clayton students competed in March “Math-ness," where they solved basketball-related math problems in a competitive environment that incorporated the classroom basketball hoop. They also hosted a teacher-vs.-student basketball game for the entire school to watch.
“Ingenuity and creativity add a layer of excitement to any activity, whether it's a live Harlem Globetrotters game or a classroom activity,” said Rich Hope, chief marketing officer with Jersey Mike’s.
Delaware education:Early report on city schools 'sparked outrage' for Wilmington Learning Collaborative
State names top high school seniors as Secretary of Education Scholars
Secretary of Education Mark Holodick recognized 93 public school students from the Class of 2024 as Secretary of Education Scholars last week. He and Gov. John Carney celebrated the scholars at a dinner in Dover, as they earned the highest academic achievements a student can earn in the state's public school.
“Every scholar here has achieved incredible success in and out of the classroom — ranging from extraordinary accomplishments on school athletic teams to community service and school leadership positions," Holodick said in a statement from DDOE. "These students balance all of these demands of their time and still are able to study and excel academically.”
The state has named Secretary of Education Scholars every year since 1984. The state has a webpage dedicated to all of these scholars now online.
Three schools earn Delaware Purple Star recognition
The state's Purple Star School designation recognizes a school's commitment to supporting "the unique educational and social-emotional needs" of military-connected children, according to the Department of Education. This year, three schools landed the honor.
Those outfits were: Caesar Rodney High School, Dover Air Force Base Middle School and First State Military Academy charter school. Their honor came as Gov. John Carney and Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long signed a proclamation recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child.
“We owe military families a debt of gratitude we can never repay,” said Carney, in a press release from DDOE. “I was proud to join Delaware’s three Purple Star schools to recognize their outstanding support of their military-connected students.”
Secretary of Education Mark Holodick explained these children often face unique challenges due to their family’s service. Parents or caregivers may deploy overseas, or they may transition schools frequently as military stations change.
Purple Star schools have to have peer transition programs, a designated military liaison on staff, as well as designated webpages with resources relevant to military-connected families and a transition program for youth.
Second and third graders celebrate Arbor Day in service
Mt. Pleasant and Maple Lane Elementary celebrated Arbor Day with tree planting, scavenger hunts and more education opportunities last week.
The second and third graders got the opportunity to "get outside and learn about the benefits of treesand their importance in our environment," according to fellow organizer Delaware Center for Horticulture. Speakers also included Carrie Wiles, DCH Interim Executive Director, Ryan Grover of Rockwood Park and Museum, alongside remarks from County Executive Matt Meyer.
It wasn't all fun, this trip out of the classroom connected back to environmental curriculum.
DelTech degrees:Delaware Tech moves to drop renewable energy degree programs
Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online/The News Journal and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on X @kpowers01.