Referendum 2006

Our Theme…

Enrollment Totals: Actual and Projected Current

SLE 625 CLE 800 TES 418 OBL 700 BME 800 Total 3,343 Elementary Schools: Growth vs. Capacity

Early Childhood Center: Growth vs. Capacity 1. Full Day Kindergarten was instituted in fall The Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center opened fall Capacity numbers are misleading – our program capacity is 528 students/center

The 2003 Referendum

Appoquinimink High Opening Fall 2008

Alfred G. Waters Middle Opening Fall school year: AGW houses grade 9 students & beyond: AGW becomes grade 6-8 school

Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center Opened Fall 2005

Louis L. Redding Middle Rededicated April 2006

MHS Cavalier’s Field First Home Game: Fall 2006

Talent Development Robotics The China Box

Capital Improvement Proposal

New Early Childhood Center Shares the same architectural design as the Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center – realizing cost and time savings Includes a dedicated playground

New Elementary School 840-student capacity Shares the same architectural design as Brick Mill Elementary – realizing cost and time savings

When will new schools open? A number of considerations will factor into the opening date for our new schools including: sewer/water availability, land/development costs, roadway systems, population trends, state funding… We hope to open our new Early Childhood Center in 2008* We hope to open our new Elementary School in 2009* *These dates are tentative. Our goal is to open both new schools as quickly as possible once the necessary infrastructure is in place.

Cedar Lane Elementary School: Repairs and Renovation Installation of fire sprinkler system New water and sewer tie-ins New HVAC and boilers Computerized systems will improve efficiency and save money Handicap-accessible bathrooms Complete roof replacement Ceiling and floor tile replacement New folding partition to separate gym and cafeteria Boilers have outlived their life expectancy

Silver Lake Elementary School: Repairs and Renovation Main office will be renovated: Parent reception Nurse Counselors Secretaries Administrators Aging (37+ years) cafeteria floor will be replaced Installation of operable partition separating the gym/cafeteria Renovation will enhance student safety, reduce noise New drop-off canopy at entrance Operable partition needed

Middletown High School: Repair & Renovations New Animal Science Lab & Expansion of the Construction Trades Shop We will extend the walls of our current shop area. The animal science lab will be located alongside the shop area, next to the greenhouse in our vocational trades wing. Wear and tear issues caused by overuse will be corrected: Replacement of damaged ceiling tiles & missing signage, newly painted walls, installation of high- impact wall surface material

Our Two Middle Schools: Repairs and Renovation Louis L. Redding Middle School 54-year old lockers replaced Additional lockers added to provide sufficient capacity 54-year old locker rooms renovated New plumbing, fixtures, tiles… Parking lot reconfigured for safety Everett Meredith Middle School Hallway lockers refurbished and additional lockers added to provide the capacity needed to serve the entire school.

Brick Mill Elementary School: Renovation An additional serving line will be added This will increase the speed and efficiency with which we can serve lunch to our nearly 800 students

Capital Improvements: Security Security Enhanced security entrances at all facilities An electronic buzzer system will be installed at all buildings.

Two Worthwhile Projects Will Require Local Support The state received an overwhelming number of requests for new construction support ($) this year. All districts were asked to make concessions. By eliminating two deserving projects from our original request, Appoquinimink was able to preserve a strong commitment for funding at eight school-based projects. Initially, we thought to eliminate the other two projects from our referendum. But they represent unique needs that will only grow more expensive to address over time, so we have elected to pare down the projects to a minimum investment and keep them on the ballot. Because the projects will require 100% local funding, they will be offered as a separate item on the ballot.

Teacher Training Center: Expansion Administrative Offices: Relocation Even the men’s room has been “re-purposed” as office space No more room for storage Not enough space for a full-size chair

Teacher Training Center: Expansion Administrative Offices: Relocation Instructional space, technology lab, teacher parking, and storage/receiving/distribution areas are all insufficient and need to be expanded. A loading dock will serve as Central Receiving To accomplish this, administrative offices will be moved to an adjacent office building with the acquisition of the land between the two buildings We will purchase pre-existing office space This recommendation is supported by a cost study

Recreational Fields Replace one natural grass athletic field at both Middletown High School and Appoquinimink High School (2 fields total) with synthetic turf* All-season play will accommodate all teams, all sports, including Junior Varsity Surface found to reduce the number and severity of injuries New fields will provide access to youth sports programs 8-12 year lifespan with little or maintenance or replacement costs during this time *This represents a 50% reduction in our original request.

Cost of Capital Improvements State & Local Partnership: $56,142,800 State Share: 40,984,100 (73%) Local Support: 15,158,700 (27%) Additional, Locally-Supported Ballot Item* Local Support: 6,243,236 *Recreational Fields, Teacher Training Center Expansion

Current Expense Proposal

Provide for escalating energy costs, as well as increases in goods and services that have dramatically impacted the general operating budget of the school district. Provide a local increase in salary funding to ensure that the district can recruit and retain top teachers and staff.* *Salaries are paid by a combination of state and local funding. The proposed increase will be on the local side – a 3% increase – which equates to approximately 1% overall. Current Expense Proposal Energy/Salaries

Related Arts Funding for musical instrument replacement Expansion of the strings program Increase in the library allocation from $2.00 per student to $4.00 (due to state cutbacks in funding) May include the purchase of additional steel drums if interest in the program continues to grow Current Expense Proposal Program Enhancements

International Education World languages (Chinese, Spanish, Japanese & French) will be introduced in our elementary schools. All four strategic languages will be available in our middle schools for formal study. In high school, all four languages, and German, are currently offered. The early exposure will afford students a greater opportunity of meeting minimum college requirements for specialization in one language that is aligned with their career pathway. Current Expense Proposal Program Enhancements

Activity Buses After school transportation will allow middle and high school students to participate in enriching, extracurricular activities. Transportation will be provided on a limited basis at middle schools with more regular service at the high school level Examples of extracurricular activities include: band, chorus, drama, sports, clubs, specials, and more! Current Expense Proposal Program Enhancements

Alternative Education The Twilight Program will be restructured to include a broader selection of courses aimed at meeting new graduation requirements for students in this alternative education setting. Existing core courses will be augmented with electives as well as courses for the approved career pathways. Current Expense Proposal Program Enhancements

Technology Hardware and software replacement for aging systems Phones and teacher voic in the classroom Enables communication from classrooms in case of emergency Enhances school/home communication Current Expense Proposal Program Enhancements

Career Placement Counselors College matches for individual students Informational searches, college visits and orientations at selected schools Advisement for parents and students on the college preparation process from beginning to acceptance Current Expense Proposal Program Enhancements

Tax Impact of Referendum Capital Construction: 9¢ General Operating Expenses & Program Enhancements: 12¢ 21¢ per $100 assessed value

How will my taxes be affected? $ 14.03/month /month ($15.28*) /month ($16.87*) On a home assessed at $80,000 and valued at $240,000 The average home assessment in Appoquinimink is $79,850 per the New Castle County Tax Assessment Office. *More than currently paid

A Look at Current School Taxes in the Region School DistrictEstimatedRate per Tax Bill$100 assessed Appoquinimink$ $1.26 Brandywine$ 1,187.73$1.49 Red Clay$ 1,059.21$1.33 Christina$ 1,328.99$1.67 Colonial$ 1,038.52$1.31 At the present time, property owners in Appoquinimink pay lower school taxes than any other New Castle County comprehensive school district for a comparably assessed home.

December 12, Referendum: Election Date

Our Ballot Approves two new schools and renovations to existing schools Approves two new recreational fields and expansion of teacher training center/district office Approves much-needed program enhancements

Your guide to voting Who can vote Appoquinimink residents (must be U.S. citizen), 18 and older You do not need to own property or be a registered voter You must bring proof of I.D. to the polling place Driver’s license or State of Delaware I.D. card You can vote at any one of the nine polling locations If you are unable to go to the polls you may request an absentee ballot (call the Carvel State Office Building)

Brick Mill Elementary Cedar Lane Elementary Olive B. Loss Elementary Silver Lake Elementary Townsend Elementary Louis L. Redding Middle Everett Meredith Middle Middletown High District Office Your guide to voting Polling Places Vote at any elementary, middle or high school between 12:00 noon and 9:00 p.m.

Building For Generations Thank You! Would you like to help? There are a number of ways you can show your support: lawn signs, calls to friends and other parents, a letter of support… Please leave your name and number with one of our presenters or call if you’d like to help us. We’ll see you at the polls on December 12!