For the second time this year, Gov. Jack Markell is publicly backing a school district tax referendum.
In March, Markell offered his support for the Christina School District’s third attempt in two years to secure a tax increase to bolster its operating budget - a referendum residents approved.
Now, he’s encouraging Brandywine School District voters to vote “yes” for a tax increase district officials say is need to pay the bills there.
“I want to express my strong support for the Brandywine School District referendum," said Markell in a video released by the Brandywine School District. "Providing our children with a high quality education that gives them the opportunity to succeed in life is one of our top priorities – and Brandywine schools and educators are working hard to create that opportunity.”
Brandywine voters head to the polls again Tuesday after narrowly rejecting a tax hike proposal back in March.
Markell says Brandywine has demonstrated its ability to meet current educational needs and challenges through programs such as its Early Childhood Education Assistance program, the Spanish Language immersion program at Claymont Elementary and its award-winning STEM program.
But he adds continued supported is needed.
“The progress we’re seeing demonstrates how effectively teachers and administrators to meet these challenges. In order to sustain that progress and build on it for the future, we must give our educators, administrators and students the resources to do so,” said Markell.
District officials are still seeking a tax increase of 28 cents per 100 dollars of assessed property, but dropped controversial plan to build turf fields at district high schools.
They say they’ll have to cut $8 million from the district’s operating budget if voters fail to approve this referendum. Those cuts include trimming 28 teachers from the payroll.
