UPDATE: Woodbridge School District Second Referendum PASSES

UPDATED – 5/29/19 – The second try was a winner.  Voters have approved a tax increase for the Woodbridge School District.  The $950,000 referendum will boost taxes by about $70 for Sussex County residents and $85 for Kent County residents.

Image courtesy Dept. of Electcions

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The Woodbridge School District will be holding a second Current Expense Referendum with hopes of raising approximately 950,000 dollars for operating funding for the district, at an estimated tax increase of $70 for Sussex County residents and $85 for Kent County residents.

Voting will take place on May 29 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Woodbridge Middle School in Bridgeville and Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center in Greenwood.

After the initial referendum was defeated on March 12 by 113 votes, the District is planning a second referendum per state law, which allows for two referendums within a 12 month period.

The District says it has been enrollment growth of 30% since 2006 and utility costs have increased 76% since 2012. The current expense funding would be used to cover operating costs like teaching materials, textbooks, insurance and local salary expenditures.

Officials also say they have made budget cuts in the past prior to requesting a rate increase. Since 2012, the District has cut building budgets by 15%, Technology by 57%, building maintenance by 21%, Athletics by 16% and Textbook/Classroom supplies by 75%. They say staff have not received a local pay raise in two years.