Shaping Cape’s future together

Since beginning the role of superintendent of the Cape Henlopen School District July 1, I have been listening closely to students, staff, families and community members. What I have heard loud and clear is that our community cares deeply about our schools and holds high expectations for excellence, equity and open, honest communication.

I launched a districtwide initiative called Wondering Wednesdays, where I visit schools to listen and learn directly from staff and students across the district. These visits ground my leadership in the real experiences of our educators and reaffirm that I will always put students first in every decision we make.

That is why I am launching this quarterly commentary, Shaping Cape’s Future Together. My promise is simple: to bring transparency, clarity and celebration of the work happening across our district directly from me to you.

A lifelong connection 

My husband and I have lived in Milton for 25 years, and I was born and raised right here in Sussex County. I began my educational career in Milford as a second- and third-grade teacher and reading specialist. This community is my home, and it has shaped who I am as an educator and leader.

For more than 15 years, I have served in Cape Henlopen from assistant principal at Rehoboth Elementary to principal at Shields Elementary, then assistant superintendent before assuming this role. As the parent of two Cape graduates, one with special needs in supported employment and the other pursuing a degree in elementary and special education, I bring personal and professional perspectives to this work.

Fiscal transparency

As our county continues to grow, many residents ask about our district tax rate. I want to be clear and transparent: Cape Henlopen School District has the lowest school tax rate in Sussex County. In fact, 65% of our property owners saw their school taxes stay the same or go down under the new revenue-neutral rate following the county reassessment.

Even with historic increases in assessed property values, Cape was the only comprehensive district in Sussex County to hold its total tax revenue flat at 0% growth. That means our overall collections did not increase. We managed this by reallocating existing resources, slightly increasing operating funds for students and staff, and significantly reducing our debt service rate. The outcome: fairness, stability and fiscal responsibility for taxpayers. This reflects our commitment to being good stewards of community resources while continuing to deliver educational excellence.

Looking ahead

Growth in our district is not a problem; it is an opportunity. We are planning responsibly, working closely with Sussex County and community partners to ensure our facilities and programs are aligned with student needs. We are focused on academic excellence, staff support and sustaining the community trust that makes Cape special. We were one of the very few school districts in the state that showed growth this year of 77 students. Our high school had the exact same number of students for the unit count (1,889) with an additional 91 Sussex Consortium students, which is an increase from last year to 1,980 students total. We are working on plans to support our students and staff as we continue to grow.

Your voice matters

We want to hear from you. I invite you to send questions or topic suggestions. What would you like to understand more clearly about our schools? Email me at jennifer.nauman@cape.k12.de.us, and I will strive to include your voice in upcoming editions. Thank you for your trust and partnership. Together we will ensure every student in Cape Henlopen receives the learning environment, support and opportunities they deserve.