Cape school district OKs new tax rate
The Cape Henlopen school board approved a new tax rate of $0.1679 per $100 of assessed property value for the upcoming school year, as calculated by the Sussex County government.
The new rate ensures revenue net neutrality as required by Delaware law, meaning the district won’t bring in more money overall due to the recently completed reassessment. This ensures fairness to taxpayers.
In other words, the district will continue to collect the same total amount as it would have had there not been a property reassessment, despite changes to individual property valuations throughout the county. This amount totals $65.1 million.
“Maintaining the same overall tax revenue while directing more resources into our classrooms reflects our commitment to both excellence and accountability,” said Superintendent Jenny Nauman in a release from the district. “We are making thoughtful, student-centered decisions to ensure every dollar directly supports teaching, learning and the people who make it happen.”
Under Delaware law, school districts may adjust how funds are used after a reassessment. The district is allowed a one-time increase of up to 10% in the portion allocated to daily school operations.
Cape is reallocating $3.2 million from debt service payments to operating expenses without increasing the total amount of revenue received. This adjustment helps to fund teacher salaries, classroom materials, technology, student programs and building maintenance without raising taxes.
“With the drop in debt service payments, this redistribution lets us put more money where it’s needed most, supporting students and staff,” said said school board President Alison Myers. “We’re being fiscally responsible and staying within state regulations, while keeping taxes low for our Cape community.”
According to Oliver Gumbs, the district’s finance director, this approach helps the district qualify for additional state funding by meeting required local match amounts.
“Even with rising costs, we’re managing the budget carefully to maintain quality education in safe, modern facilities,” Gumbs said in the release.
He thanked the community’s continued support in helping the district’s students thrive.
For more information about the district’s budget and tax rate, go to www.capehenlopenschools.com or contact Gumbs at oliver.gumbs@cape.k12.de.us.
Ellen McIntyre is a reporter covering education and all things Dewey Beach. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State - Schreyer Honors College in May 2024, then completed an internship writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 2023, she covered the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as a freelancer for the Associated Press and saw her work published by outlets including The Washington Post and Fox Sports. Her variety of reporting experience covers crime and courts, investigations, politics and the arts. As a Hockessin, Delaware native, Ellen is happy to be back in her home state, though she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She also loves live music, reading, hiking and spending time in nature.
