Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

School Consolidation Task Force calls for property reassessment

Delaware Public Media

The School Consolidation Task Force is offering its recommendations for improving education in the First State, but consolidating Delaware’s 19 school districts isn’t among them.

The task force is suggesting the state reassess property values to raise more tax revenue for schools.

But it’s unlikely lawmakers will sign off on property tax reassessments in an election year.

 

Task Force Chair Rep. Earl Jaques (D-Newark) says he thinks lawmakers could pass some of other recommendations.

 

“I see a couple little recommendations that we did that don’t really cost money in the way that I think we could bring forward in this General Assembly,” said Jaques.

The task force is also recommending additional funding for low-income students and English Language Learners. The group also wants to add wellness centers to all public schools - along with more school staff members trained in trauma-informed practices and more behavioral health providers in middle schools.

It also says the state should not completely abandon examining consolidating districts.

The final task force report is scheduled to be released May 15th.

Related Content