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April 1, 2013
Colonial Community:
On Tuesday, March 26th, the Colonial School Board voted to hold another operating referendum vote for June 4, 2013. The referendum vote is for 35 cents per $100 of assessed property value. With the failed referendum on February 28th, we have listened to the community. The proposed tax increase has been reduced from 47 cents to 35 cents, with the primary focus of the proposed tax amount for operating needs.
We recognize the need to reach out to the community and provide more information regarding the reasons for the referendum and specific amount of monies requested. In addition, we know that we need to be clearer in what the increase will mean for our stakeholders in regards to the assessed value of each property owner. As a result, we plan to provide clear examples of what the tax increase will mean through specific charts reflecting the market value/assessed value/tax increase of community properties.
We have listened to the feedback from community members and Colonial staff. I encourage all community members to attend an informational meeting to hear our proposal and for us to hear from you.
April 22nd 7PM McCullough Middle School
May 13th 7PM Gunning Bedford Middle School
May 28th 7PM George Read Middle School
In addition there is a Town Hall meeting on May 20th at George Read Middle School at 7PM.
Finally, I encourage community members to contact me directly to schedule a meeting to discuss concerns, issues and/or ideas for solutions for the Colonial School District.
We, as a community and school district, need to work together for our kids.
Dorothy Linn, Superintendent
March 25. 2013
Colonial Community:
Over the past several months, the Colonial School District has been aggressively analyzing its current and future financial condition to maintain the programs and services we provide to our students. Every investment, initiative, program, and instructional strategy is implemented to ensure “Every Student College and Career Ready.” Notwithstanding, the economic climate, operating costs, and funding streams can positively or adversely impact the school district’s abilities to deliver educational services to its students.
As you are aware, the Colonial School District sought approval from its constituents for a 47 cent tax increase to maintain our current operating costs including but not limited to human capital (staffing), insurance expenditures, extra-curricular activities, transportation costs, collaborative agreements, etc. On Thursday, February 28, 2013, our stakeholders (3409) voted 2484 against imposing a property tax increase. With the vote, I will be making difficult and controversial choices to sustain the financial ability to deliver a top notch education to our students.
Effective immediately, the following extra-curricular activities or special events will be eliminated for the remainder of the school year to remedy the current and future budget shortfalls:
Fifth grade orientation to middle school
Retirement dinner
Graduation pictures
Consolidate bus routes for after school buses at the high school
Reduce number of practices per week for all sports
Despite difficult and controversial decisions placed upon the school district, I am confident that we can collaborate and implement creative and innovative solutions to address the school district’s funding shortfall. I would like to encourage all of our stakeholders to attend upcoming community meetings to understand the adverse impact of a staff reduction in force, larger class sizes, reduction in band program, sports programs, and extracurricular activities.
Dr. Dorothy Linn, Superintendent
Welcome to the Colonial School District located in New Castle, Delaware. Colonial is a grades K to 12 public school district. The district vision is Every Student College and Career Ready. By the time your child graduates from the Colonial School Distict, he or she will have the competitive edge over other Delaware high school students to enroll in post secondary institutions, obtain scholarships, and have licensed certificates to apply for a variety of jobs and careers throughout Delaware and the nation.
Bullying Prevention Contact
Delaware Department of Justice
Bullying Prevention & School Crime Contact (Ombudsperson)
1-800-220-5414
