Lewes residents hear referendum plan

A presentation on the future of Cape Henlopen's elementary schools drew 10 people March 8 at the Lewes School, one of two schools slated for renovations. Attendance has been low at the community meetings in advance of the Wednesday, March 23, referendum. Seven people attended a meeting at Rehoboth Elementary and five at H.O. Brittingham Elementary.

Lewes resident John Zawislak said he understands the need for new buildings, but questioned whether any of the 33 cents in the proposed tax rate increase would be used for technology or computers for students.

“Is this all brick and mortar costs?” Zawislak asked.

Superintendent Robert Fulton said it is because there are other pots of money that can be used for computer and technology.

“We want to build the best building quality-wise,” Fulton said. “But we won't sacrifice curriculum or education.”

Infrastructure work during construction would include wiring for computers and technology to benefit classrooms, Fulton said.

Under the tax rate increase, a resident of a home assessed at $22,508 would pay about $74 more a year in property taxes. The total cost of the project is $121 million; the local share is $48 million, while state taxpayers are paying the remainder.

Another resident asked why the district was looking at property on Sweetbriar Road to build a new Sussex Consortium.

“It's a narrow road and I'm concerned about safety,” she said.

Fulton said the state told the district that they had to consider land west of Route 1. The district presented 15 parcels to state planners for approval, but only two property owners were interested in were interested in selling their property for a new consortium, Fulton said. Both parcels are on Sweetbriar Road; the district will chose one.

“There aren't a lot of options for land,” Fulton said. “We can't pick premium property. We're locked into a lot of contraints.”

Moving Sussex Consortium students out of the Lewes School and into their own building will occur even if Cape Henlopen residents vote down the elementary referendum. The state has agreed to pay about $24 million for a new school to house Sussex County's autism program. About 250 consortium students attend the Lewes School, which will become an elementary school once the consortium students have a new facility.

If the referendum is approved, a new school would first be built at H.O. Brittingham Elementary. Milton Elementary students would then move into the old HOB while renovations are completed at Milton Elementary. Both HOB and Rehoboth Elementary would use the same school design as the new school on Route 24.

Renovations at Lewes School would add a new cafeteria, classrooms and administrative offices. Parking would be expanded with a bus loop to improve the flow of traffic during arrivals and dismissals. The auditorium and gymnasium would be preserved, areas that no longer receive dedicated space in modern elementary school designs.

The referendum will be held 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, with voting at Cape Henlopen High School, Mariner Middle School and Rehoboth Elementary School.

Two community meetings remain: 6:30 p.m. Monday, March, 14, at Milton Elementary and 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 21, at Cape Henlopen High School.

For more information about the referendum, go to www.capehenlopenreferendum.weebly.com.