It’s decision day again for voters in the Brandywine School District as the district learns Tuesday if its second attempt to convince residents to back a tax increase has worked.
Voters head to the polls to cast ballots on a revised tax referendum.
Brandywine officials say the district faces major cuts to its operating budget if residents don’t get behind this tax hike proposal.
Brandywine’s first referendum attempt in March failed by a 163-vote margin. If voters say “no” again Tuesday, the district is set to trim $8 million, including 28 teachers, from its budget. Capital projects at Brandywine High School and two elementary schools would also be shelved.
The district is once again seeking a tax increase of 28 cents per 100 dollars of assessed property value, but has dropped the previous proposal’s controversial request to fund turf fields at the district’s three high schools.
That hasn’t satisfied all referendum opponents. A number argue the district has too many administrators with large salaries, though Brandywine officials respond they have combined or cut jobs at the district office – dropping the number of positions there from 83-to-72 since 2010.
The referendum debate has even drawn Gov. Jack Markell’s attention, with Markell publicly backing the tax hike proposal.
Turnout may be vital. The March referendum drew just over 7,600 voters. Superintendent Mark Holodick called that a “disappointing” number that didn’t help the district’s cause.
Polls in the Brandywine School District are open from 10 am to 8 pm Tuesday.
Polling places for Tuesday's referendum are:
Boys & Girls Club --- 500 Darley Road, Claymont
Brandywine High School --- 400 Foulk Road, Wilmington
Brandywine Hundred Fire Company ---1006 Brandywine Boulevard, Wilmington
Brandywine Hundred Library --- 1300 Foulk Road, Wilmington
Brandywine Town Center --- 4050 Brandywine Parkway, Wilmington
Carrcroft Elementary School --- 503 Crest Road, Wilmington
Carvel State Office Building --- 820 N. French Street, Wilmington
Claymont Elementary School --- 3401 Green Street, Claymont
Concord High School --- 2501 Ebright Road, Wilmington
Crestview Apartments --- 2700 N. Market Street, Wilmington
Forwood Elementary School --- 1900 Westminster Drive, Wilmington
Hanby Elementary School --- 2523 Berwyn Road, Wilmington
Harlan Elementary School --- 3601 N. Jefferson Street, Wilmington
Lancashire Elementary School --- 2000 Naamans Road, Wilmington
Lombardy Elementary School --- 412 Foulk Road, Wilmington
Maple Lane Elementary School --- 100 Maple Lane, Claymont
Mount Pleasant Elementary School --- 500 Duncan Road, Wilmington
Mount Pleasant High School --- 5201 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington
P.S. duPont Middle School --- 701 W. 34th Street, Wilmington
Springer Middle School --- 2220 Shipley Road, Wilmington
Talley Middle School --- 1110 Cypress Road, Wilmington
Urban Promise --- 2401 Thatcher Street, Wilmington
