I wish to express my absolute opposition to the proposed legislation allowing school districts in Delaware to raise taxes without local voter approval.
This would remove accountability and create an ever-increasing cascade of rising taxes without any control, and foster distrust in the school districts’ use of the new funds.
When the Cape Henlopen District needed greater taxes to support the building of new schools and upgrades for existing schools to meet the needs of a growing school population, the superintendent and his staff embarked on an extensive outreach campaign, making the case for the need and the planning on how the money would be used.
The voters supported the referendum because they were able to understand the need and see the thoughtful planning for using the new taxes effectively.
The requirement of a referendum made the district more accountable, both in its planning and in its communication with taxpayers.
Not requiring a referendum will weaken the diligence imposed by having to “make your case” to the voters, and it will sow a growing distrust in government and leadership.
I am a registered Democrat but I say shame on the the Democrats for this proposal and ask that it be withdrawn or soundly defeated. I also encourage the Gazette to make this proposal the subject of its next web poll.
Bette Brookshire-McGrath
Milton
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