Referendum 2006

1
Referendum 2006
2
Our Theme
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Enrollment Totals 1996-2011Actual and Projected
Current
2011
1996
2006
4
Elementary Schools Growth vs. Capacity
SLE 625CLE 800TES 418OBL
700BME 800 Total
3,343
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Early Childhood Center Growth vs. Capacity
1. Full Day Kindergarten was instituted in fall
2006 2. The Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center
opened fall 2005 3. Capacity numbers are
misleading our program capacity is 528
students/center
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The 2003 Referendum
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Appoquinimink High
Opening Fall 2008
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Alfred G. Waters Middle
Opening Fall 2007 2007-2008 school year AGW
houses grade 9 students2008-2009 beyond AGW
becomes grade 6-8 school
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Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center
Opened Fall 2005
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Louis L. Redding Middle
Rededicated April 2006
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MHS Cavaliers Field
First Home Game Fall 2006
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Talent Development
Robotics
The China Box
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• Capital Improvement Proposal

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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

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New Elementary School

• 840-student capacity
• Shares the same architectural design as Brick
  Mill Elementary realizing cost and time savings

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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.

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Cedar Lane Elementary SchoolRepairs and
Renovation
Boilers have outlived their life expectancy

• 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

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Silver Lake Elementary SchoolRepairs and
Renovation
Operable partition needed

• 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

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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

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Our Two Middle SchoolsRepairs 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.

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Brick Mill Elementary SchoolRenovation

• 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

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Capital Improvements Security

• Security
• Enhanced security entrances at all facilities
• An electronic buzzer system will be installed at
  all buildings.

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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.

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Teacher Training Center ExpansionAdministrative
Offices Relocation
Even the mens room has been re-purposed as
office space
No more room for storage
Not enough space for a full-size chair
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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

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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.
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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
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• Current Expense Proposal

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Current Expense Proposal Energy/Salaries

• 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.

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Current Expense Proposal Program Enhancements

• 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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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

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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

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Tax Impact of Referendum

• Capital Construction 9
• General Operating Expenses Program
  Enhancements 12
• 21 per 100 assessed value

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How will my taxes be affected?
2007 . . . . 14.03/month 2008 . . . .
1.25/month (15.28) 2009 . . . . 2.84/month
(16.87)
On a home assessed at 80,000 and valued at
240,000
The average home assessment in Appoquinimink is
79,850 per the New Castle County Tax Assessment
Office. More than currently paid
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A Look at Current School Taxes in the Region
School District Estimated Rate per Tax
Bill 100 assessed Appoquinimink
999.52 1.26 Brandywine 1,187.73 1.49 Red
Clay 1,059.21 1.33 Christina
1,328.99 1.67 Colonial 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.
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2006 Referendum Election Date

• December 12, 2006

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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
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• 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
• Drivers 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)

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Your guide to voting
Polling Places Vote at any elementary, middle or
high school between 1200 noon and 900 p.m.

• Louis L. Redding Middle
• Everett Meredith Middle
• Middletown High
• District Office

• Brick Mill Elementary
• Cedar Lane Elementary
• Olive B. Loss Elementary
• Silver Lake Elementary
• Townsend Elementary

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Building For Generations

• 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 youd like
  to help us.
• Well see you at the polls on December 12!

Thank You!