The Cape Henlopen School District referendum has sparked significant discussion, with strong arguments both for and against it. However, I find there is insufficient data to make an informed decision. The school district has presented a list of desires and asked for trust in their use of taxpayer money, but successful businesses do not operate this way. As a business entity, the school district should base decisions on data.
The district must provide taxpayers with comprehensive information. For instance, regarding the pool, there should be an analysis of existing facilities, current usage, a plan for utilizing existing pools and justification for a new pool if there is indeed a shortage of availability.
The issue of constructing administrative offices and future educational facilities is more complex. Most of the newly built school buildings in the area are one-story, which indicates a lack of foresight in planning for growth and space needs. What did the district's strategic plan predict about growth when these buildings were designed? In a rapidly growing region, one-story buildings are not cost-effective. Constructing two-story buildings with an unfinished second floor would have allowed for future expansion without buying new land, which is costly. The current proposal could have focused on modifying existing spaces rather than purchasing land and constructing anew.
It seems like we are being asked to approve a repeat of past mistakes. Where is the strategic plan to ensure the proposed structures meet future needs? What are the detailed construction plans and costs? How much additional revenue has the district taken in over the last five years, given the thousands of new homes built in the Iast five years? No business would fund a project without this information, so why should taxpayers be expected to do so?
The district should also collaborate with the Sussex County Council to impose development fees on builders to help reduce taxpayer expenses. The district owes it to the state, county and Sussex County residents to provide this information before requesting additional funds. Any organizational leader should be able to produce such data.
There should be no referendum without a clearly articulated, data-driven plan that outlines needs and alternatives while highlighting contributions from developers and taxpayers. Only then can taxpayers make informed decisions about supporting the district's current and future needs.
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