Cape moves forward with new school preliminary site plan

Cape Henlopen school board approved a preliminary site plan for the new elementary school on Route 24, paving the way for designing the building’s final details.

“This is to get us moving,” said Brian Bassett, director of administrative services.

The board approved the site plan 6-0 during its regular meeting Feb. 12. Board member Jen Burton was absent.

The board approved the shape of the building and where it will sit on the property.

The final site plan, Bassett said, will detail classrooms, common space for students and teachers and outside recreation space.

Cape Henlopen residents agreed to the $31 million project during an April referendum. The new elementary school will house students from kindergarten to fifth grade; officials said the new building will help ease overcrowding at the district’s remaining four elementary schools.

The main entrance is off Route 24 across from Beacon Middle School. A second entrance off Mulberry Knoll Road is shared with the future Delaware State Police Troop 7, but access will be limited to Cape Henlopen School District personnel.

Groups of teachers, administrators and parents have already met during a session termed a charrette to discuss designs they like and dislike, Bassett said.

So far, Bassett said, the new building is slated to have a two-story wing for upper grades with lower grades together on the ground level.

“This is a Cape-driven school,” he said of the work that has been done so far on the school site plans.