Referendum 2006

Our Theme…

Enrollment Totals: 1996-2011Actual and Projected

386342654533

4896531458215781

63956710

729675888300

89229590

1030911082

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Current

20111996 2006

3604

26372758

2926 3027

40503820

34003208

2297

334333433343334333433343 33433343

2543

3343

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Tota

l Stu

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GrowthCapacity

SLE 625CLE 800TES 418OBL 700BME 800 Total 3,343

Elementary Schools: Growth vs. Capacity

Early Childhood Center: Growth vs. Capacity

657

442481 478

551

740697

620584

372

660660660660660

330

660

330330

660

0

100

200

300

400

500

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800

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

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Growth

Capacity

1. Full Day Kindergarten was instituted in fall 20062. The Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center opened fall 20053. 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 20072007-2008 school year: AGW houses grade 9 students2008-2009 & 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: ExpansionAdministrative 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: ExpansionAdministrative 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 voicemail 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?

2007 . . . .$ 14.03/month2008 . . . . + 1.25/month ($15.28*) 2009 . . . . + 2.84/month ($16.87*)On a home assessed at $80,000

and valued at $240,000The 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 District Estimated Rate per Tax Bill $100 assessed

Appoquinimink $ 999.52 $1.26Brandywine $ 1,187.73 $1.49Red Clay $ 1,059.21 $1.33Christina $ 1,328.99 $1.67Colonial $ 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, 2006

2006 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 schoolbetween 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 376-4101 if you’d like to help us.

We’ll see you at the polls on December 12!