It's time.
We want every aspect of Colonial Nation to be a source of pride.
Restoring, updating and improving the buildings and facilities in Colonial is a necessary step to fully realizing the Power of WE and showing all of our students that they deserve safe, functional, high quality spaces.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the last major upgrade to our facilities in Colonial . . . it’s time.
Colonial schools are, on average, 60 years old. Restoring, updating and improving the buildings and facilities in Colonial is a necessary step to fully realizing the Power of WE and showing all of our students that they deserve safe, functional, high quality spaces. We want every aspect of Colonial Nation to be a source of pride.
WE NEED TO ADAPT
Show our staff, community and students that we are as innovative in our facilities as we are our in our curriculum.
WE NEED TO RESTORE
Update and repair our buildings to give our students, staff families and community a school they will be proud of and want to learn in.
WE NEED TO UPGRADE
Build state of the art athletics facilities to give us as a competitive edge in the state of Delaware and bring championship sports to our schools.
Support for Seniors
YES, the State of Delaware does offer tax relief for Seniors.
Individuals 65 and older, who meet a residency requirement (3 years if you established residency before 12/31/2017; 10 years if you established residency after that date), are eligible for a school tax credit of up to $400 on their principle residence. A School Tax Credit Application can be found at: https://www.nccde.org/182/Tax-Exemptions. Seniors may also apply for additional reductions in sewer and county property tax based on income. For more information about these programs, call the County at 302-395-5520.
The 2024 CSD Referendum
What is involved and included int he 2024 referendum for all CSD Schools
Referendum 101:
Get an overview of how referendums in Delaware work
Get more information
Click the image to the left to download the presentations we have available to better understand the referendum process and the 2024 referendum ask for Colonial.
Capital Referendum Information
The Department of Education has approved a $122 million certificate of necessity for maintenance and improvements on all 13 district school buildings.
WHY do we need to do this?
We want every aspect of Colonial Nation to be a source of pride. Restoring, updating and improving the buildings and facilities in Colonial is a necessary step to fully realizing the Power of WE and showing all of our students that they deserve safe, functional, high quality spaces.
In the State of Delaware, whenever a public school system requires new facilities or a significant addition to an existing building, the matter must first be approved by a popular vote of the residents in the district.
This capital improvement plan has been developed based on a comprehensive understanding of district-wide needs uniquely focused on the most important needs at each and every school.
• The State will provide 60% of the funding ($73.2 million) and we must provide the remaining 40% ($48.8 million) to secure the State’s investment.
• If the referendum does not pass, the state funding will be moved to other state projects outside of Colonial.
Roofing
Repairing and restoring aging roofs
• McCullough Middle School
• Pleasantville Elementary School
• Southern Elementary School
• Wilmington Manor Elementary School
• William Penn High School
Building Security
Secure entrances & enhancements
• Carrie Downie Elementary School
• Castle Hills Elementary School
• George Read Middle School
• Gunning Bedford Middle School
• Eisenberg Elementary School
• Kathleen Wilbur Elementary School
• McCullough Middle School
• New Castle Elementary School
• Pleasantville Elementary School
• Southern Elementary School
• Wilmington Manor Elementary School
• William Penn High School
ADA Site Improvements
Providing ADA compliant equipment/ surfaces, parking & accessibility.
• Carrie Downie Elementary School
• Castle Hills Elementary School
• George Read Middle School
• Gunning Bedford Middle School
• Eisenberg Elementary School
• Kathleen Wilbur Elementary School
• McCullough Middle School
• New Castle Elementary School
• Pleasantville Elementary School
• Southern Elementary School
• Wilmington Manor Elementary School
• William Penn High School
New Playground Equipment
Upgrading playground equipment and grounds
• Carrie Downie Elementary School
• Castle Hills Elementary School
• Gunning Bedford Middle School
• Eisenberg Elementary School
• Kathleen Wilbur Elementary School
• New Castle Elementary School
• Pleasantville Elementary School
• Southern Elementary School
• Wilmington Manor Elementary School
Parking & Roadway Improvements
Improving and enhancing parking lots and road ways including car rider lanes.
• Carrie Downie Elementary School
• Castle Hills Elementary School
• George Read Middle School
• Gunning Bedford Middle School
• Eisenberg Elementary School
• Kathleen Wilbur Elementary School
• McCullough Middle School
• New Castle Elementary School
• Pleasantville Elementary School
• Southern Elementary School
• Wilmington Manor Elementary School
• William Penn High School
Site Drainage & Grading
Improving drainage & preventing erosion including repair of roof gutters & drainage piping.
• Carrie Downie Elementary School
• Castle Hills Elementary School
• George Read Middle School
• Gunning Bedford Middle School
• Eisenberg Elementary School
• Kathleen Wilbur Elementary School
• McCullough Middle School
• New Castle Elementary School
• Pleasantville Elementary School
• Southern Elementary School
• Wilmington Manor Elementary School
• William Penn High School
Pedestrian Improvements
Repairing, sealing and leveling sidewalks as well as resetting of brick walkway pavers as needed.
• Carrie Downie Elementary School
• Castle Hills Elementary School
• George Read Middle School
• Gunning Bedford Middle School
• Eisenberg Elementary School
• Kathleen Wilbur Elementary School
• McCullough Middle School
• New Castle Elementary School
• Pleasantville Elementary School
• Southern Elementary School
• Wilmington Manor Elementary School
• William Penn High School
Athletic Field Improvements
Upgrading running/walking tracks, playing fields at secondary schools & addition of new multisport athletic complex at William Penn.
• George Read Middle School
• Gunning Bedford Middle School
• McCullough Middle School
• William Penn High School
Operating Referendum Information
• We have stretched the last referendum timeline from 4 years to 7 years through strategic fiscal management & the help of ESSER relief funds.
• We have avoided programming and staff cuts by maximizing the use of other funds, such as ESSER and Opportunity funding.
• We have taken measures to limit discretionary budget growth for the last 3 years.
• In FY 2023, Colonial had an operating deficit of $5.7 million (the amount expenses exceed revenues).
• The projection for FY 2024 shows a deficit of $7.7 million.
• ESSER funds are expiring & without additional revenue, program, and staff cuts cannot be avoided.
Additional operating revenue will be utilized to maintain investments in:
The Ask:
40¢ per 100 of assessed home value
phased in over 3 years (25¢ in 2025, 10¢ in 2026, 5¢ in 2027)
The most accurate way to determine the cost of the referendum in relation to your school taxes is to look up your property tax assessment on the county website, www3.newcastlede.gov/parcel/search.
In Delaware, homes are assessed for taxes at around 1/4th their market value.
- Recruiting and retaining top-notch educators and support staff.
- Continuing competitive salary and benefits package to combat the increasing workforce shortages, especially among teachers.
- Continue extended learning opportunities and summer programs to strengthen student engagement and accelerate student achievement.
- Providing high-quality, relevant professional development for all staff.
- Continued investment in Constables, SROs, and enhanced security initiatives.
- Maintaining 1:1 student Chromebooks and other technology investments.
