EDITORIAL: School funding mechanism needs some thought [Video]

For the first time since I moved to the Appoquinimink School District, I saw signs telling people to vote against the referendum, including signs that read “Vote No for a Tax Increase.” Apparently, a yard sign one of my neighbors had in support of the referendum was defaced with a red marker that called it a scam.

Appoquinimink School District is one of the most famed in the state of Delaware and it’s one of two major draws for people to move their families to the area. In fact, it’s why we decided to move there. 

But looking at the sheer times the district has had to hold the ballots asking voters to decide on a tax increase is a message in itself about the growth there. In 1995, the district had 3,200 students in four schools. Today, it’s estimated at 12,945 students across 18 schools — and still growing. District officials believe that 200 to 450 new students are added each year.

Referendums can be tricky …