[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6555256,"mediaKeyId","3846149-df0f0cb6cab74aa4fc8d3d98286c70bd","parentId",3846149,"title","Board approves preliminary FY26 budget and tax rate; officials cite reassessment and revenue-neutral aim","audioSeconds",678,"startMs",3618000,"endMs",4296000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846149-df0f0cb6cab74aa4fc8d3d98286c70bd&start=3618&end=4296","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846149-df0f0cb6cab74aa4fc8d3d98286c70bd/thumbnail_3618000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6555256/Delaware/Board-approves-preliminary-FY26-budget-and-tax-rate-officials-cite-reassessment-and-revenue-neutral-aim","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555256-2760edb3057e14bf04abcc1c1765c765/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991422&Signature=kQH9F3zYok6TDVGtuPV~If6sH1FNvXokiZD5XbqaNA1mTF1unB3RUuUrhO7CqvosODw8hSF68QvZloEVdbQkCJGqJaj6vJBJhirF1Tk3eLA7gdrbs2MNOUU7Z~c6-28V6z~dMfsK9gOwjZWryMBAqQTAmtTkH3YAX6-KnPG9-F-~rRwbwCLwySldyzQVz14bkKVKpWW3likjjEa~mMRRm6KySyhcO6wagZfs2sNZ9Iy9-HpRMhWnz~vBKSuqAOYfBJho3Qd7XitPEl94HosAt4UF7cajcVGn4VFKRpBFUR0W~Ar7tjNPC~5qCPOJZLQFjHu07yTornMVq8SnVugAjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seaford School District","date","2025-06-17T11:17:06Z","article","SEAFORD, Del. — The Seaford School District Board of Education on June 16 approved a preliminary fiscal year 2026 budget and the district's tax-rate filing, pending final state budget action and county reassessment reconciliation.

Finance staff presented packet figures and told the board that county property reassessments required recalibrating the tax rate so the district's revenue would be effectively neutral despite large changes in assessed property values. In the meeting packet staff highlighted the tax rate figure presented for FY26 (noted in materials as 0.3104 per $100 of assessed value) and explained the numerical change compared with prior-year numbers reflects reassessment math rather than a straightforward increase or decrease in collections.

Why it matters: The preliminary budget and tax rate establish the district's spending framework for the coming year and allow staff to proceed with summer contracts, payroll and grant matching. Staff and board emphasized that the FY26 numbers are preliminary; final numbers depend on the governor's budget, the Joint Finance Committee action and the district's unit-count certification later in the year.

Discussion highlights

- Revenue-neutral aim: Presenters said the apparent drop in the tax rate arises because reassessments increased property values overall, which requires a lower rate to keep district revenue approximately constant.
- Iterative process: Finance staff described repeated recalculations as county and state numbers arrived, noting the board's preliminary vote ensures the district can continue operations July 1 while permitting later adjustments.
- Near-term impact: Staff said a small variance remained between preliminary estimate and final numbers (one presenter noted the district was under by roughly $8,000 in the most recent run of figures) and that the board would see updated figures later in the year.

Board action: The board voted to approve the FY26 tax-rate filing and the district's preliminary FY26 budget by voice vote. The district will return to the board with a final budget after state budget action and unit-count verification.

Next steps: Finance will update the preliminary budget once state budget and unit-count figures are final and report to the board for final adoption; staff also will monitor tax-collection reporting and any required adjustments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June SSD Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Seaford School District trustees approved a preliminary FY26 budget and tax-rate filing on June 16, with staff stressing the apparent drop in rate reflects county property reassessments and is intended to be revenue-neutral; final budget will follow state budget and unit-count finalization.","taxTitle","Seaford School District, School Districts, Delaware","taxId",66111,"location","Delaware","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6555262,"Seaford board approves school-discipline improvement plans; staff point to MTSS and mental-health supports",381,1824000,2205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846149-df0f0cb6cab74aa4fc8d3d98286c70bd&start=1824&end=2205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846149-df0f0cb6cab74aa4fc8d3d98286c70bd/thumbnail_1824000.jpg","/articles/6555262/Delaware/Seaford-board-approves-school-discipline-improvement-plans-staff-point-to-MTSS-and-mental-health-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555262-e0138ec880eaac408f203205c68ad7ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991422&Signature=W4lUJfmCO8VK7i8YoZFB6b3bOwSr6q0hMpn6AN5fraOFdc2e88D30OvzuofA8VNOOG3O6GTtBohNPo5y-lW2UpwsN~xBYUpU7qe3xdBlXfjzJnIS2a8xF3jJ9C0CCKKfcZViCc5Ly3B1QpukBQyslwIl8WojC0abqJCYTjPJ6jit9X-IN4Di-l3rXkr-4oASBm0Deygxz2By-ey53-79CefO5GciA8f6bngUYBkQRxkf6gLdxM4JBo19Q~x~gQOc~baq42OTjqvGiGPxrWrT-2fKC25SCvAKgJP6Mb0uLKRp9vE2wwDMaz6MfCeMtXkntXzsdIB7B9R2G2PAiVRaVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SEAFORD, Del. — The Seaford School District Board of Education on June 16 approved discipline-improvement plans for the middle school and high school required under state regulation when suspension rates meet a designated threshold.

A staff member presenting the plans said the state requires a school that records suspensions for 15 percent or more of students, or 15 percent of a student subgroup, in a school year to create and submit an improvement plan. District teams met with state staff and used school teams and outside partners to develop interventions the district will implement and monitor.

Why it matters: Approval of these plans triggers a state review and public posting and commits the district to multi-year tracking. The plans aim to reduce reliance on exclusionary discipline and lower suspension percentages below 15 percent for three consecutive years, which would remove the school from the corrective list.

What the plans include

- Prevention and supports: Presenters described work to strengthen MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports), increase involvement of mental-health professionals and integrate school nurses into early-identification efforts.
- Focus on major incidents: Staff said most suspensions at the middle and high school level are for serious incidents such as drug possession or major safety violations rather than routine classroom misbehavior.
- Early intervention: The district reported work with coaches, counselors and outside partners to identify and support students earlier so issues do not escalate to suspensions.

Board discussion: Board members and staff discussed data trends, whether subgroups remained above thresholds and the need for strong implementation. One board member asked whether the MTSS and school-based teams were involved; presenters confirmed MTSS and building teams were part of the planning process. A motion to approve the plans carried by voice vote.

Next steps: Staff will submit the plans to the Delaware Department of Education for posting and continue planned monitoring and supports in both buildings.","The board approved required discipline-improvement plans for the middle school and high school after district teams worked with state staff; plans emphasize MTSS, mental-health supports and reducing suspensions below a 15% threshold over time.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6555267,"Seaford School District board approves policies, facilities rentals, contracts and preliminary budget",4290,270000,4560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3846149-df0f0cb6cab74aa4fc8d3d98286c70bd&start=270&end=4560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3846149-df0f0cb6cab74aa4fc8d3d98286c70bd/thumbnail_270000.jpg","/articles/6555267/Delaware/Seaford-School-District-board-approves-policies-facilities-rentals-contracts-and-preliminary-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555267-aa7c18010523965a81fca2a3dc6751a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991422&Signature=GauNne7ODOulU51IfwnccBVmJVKxwrS6EeZWJq9rP47~sbOOvg3P1PocPnPGNE6uauhBaN~1aXTRU5TDECZgnXVrCgL3TTnyKHc2~X3MNrVy8abZLh5VdE7hWdkAwsRY1j2BUDDYMUy08FMbhMEgQHyoU2U9WSc~ElJItnGneLJ7pCX8LHQUbMRM0L2GOqAwbrLPKUQgUdDP9b0Dz5FLodu619HPs0K1G0GSeTOZcNAcQHrdXtEFOegiK5kee6ZYRygazQrvLBdBuRf0VHxXXmaxcBgY2~eMUYKOixNmNj4Zgpo6BQ3KdBFocNynPZKNJ3U17BGcN2BiSaluvP0Kug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SEAFORD, Del. — The Seaford School District Board of Education on June 16 approved a series of board business items, including policy and regulation updates, a group of facility rental requests, two construction contracts and the district's preliminary fiscal year 2026 budget and tax rate.

Board members opened the meeting by approving the agenda and May 12 minutes by voice vote. The board then considered personnel, policies and routine business throughout the evening and took the following formal actions.

Votes at a glance (motions approved unless noted)

- School choice: Approved applications 2026-35 through 2026-40; denied application 2026-42; rescinded school choice application 2024-57. Motion passed by voice vote. (motion text presented by doctor Vincent)

- Facilities rentals: Approved multiple community and adult-education facility requests for 2025'26, including: Sussex Tech family literacy (Central Elementary and other sites, Sept. 8'May 20 weekly evenings), James H. Grove adult high school classes (Tues/Thurs Sept. 9'May 21), ESL classes (Mondays/Wednesdays Sept. 8'May 2026) and community events including a July 18 American Cornerstone Institute (ACI) program (set-up 5 p.m.; event 6:15 p.m.; cleanup by 9:30'10 p.m.; estimated ~1,000 attendees) and an Our Lady of the Lord community prayer on July 12 (8 a.m.'5 p.m.; estimated ~700 attendees). Motion to approve facilities requests carried by voice vote.

- Policy and regulation actions: The board approved first- and second-reading and deletion actions on multiple policies and regulations including (but not limited to) ECBC (Recreational Facility Maintenance) deletion, GBD (Communications with Staff) revisions, JH C (release time for students), JIC (student conduct), JQ (student fees, fines and charges), JIH (student interrogation/searches/arrests), JLD (counseling policy updates) and related regulations. Several items were acted on as first or second readings as stated in meeting materials; motions passed by voice vote.

- School discipline improvement plans: Approved required discipline-improvement plans for the middle school and the high school to address state thresholds for suspensions (plans will be submitted to the state Department of Education). Motion passed by voice vote.

- Employment and salary schedules: Approved the FY26 support-staff salary schedule policy language and preliminary FY26 salary assumptions; board noted some increases remain subject to collective-bargaining outcomes. Motion carried.

- Construction and maintenance contracts: Approved two building renovation contracts: district administration office renovations (Firstline Contracting, lowest bidder) and a middle-school front-ramp/masonry project (Enterprise Masonry). Motions passed by voice vote.

- Opportunity-fund waiver: Approved submission of an opportunity-fund waiver to allow the district to prioritize specified staffing categories with recently awarded state funds. Motion passed.

- Fiscal actions: Approved the FY26 tax rate filing and the district's preliminary FY26 budget; board members noted the preliminary budget will be updated after state budget action, unit-count verification and final reassessment reconciliation. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Other: The board approved multiple routine action items including minutes, first readings of policy updates, and authorized staff to return required documents to the state where noted. The meeting ended with a motion to move to executive session for personnel and student matters; that motion carried.

Why it matters: The items approved include both routine governance housekeeping and operational decisions (facility rentals, building contracts, staffing/funding flexibilities and a preliminary budget) that shape the district's summer work and fall operations. Several approvals are explicitly provisional pending state budget and unit-count confirmation.

What the board said: Board members repeatedly used voice votes; the record shows motions, seconds and unanimous or voice approval in most cases. Presenters noted that the FY26 tax-rate change reflected county reassessment and was intended to be revenue-neutral. Staff and board also emphasized the need for continued public engagement on funding changes and for follow-up once state numbers are final.

Next steps: Staff will file approved policies and discipline plans with the Delaware Department of Education as required, execute awarded contracts, implement approved facility rentals and return to the board with final FY26 budget numbers after state and county updates.","At its June 16 meeting the Seaford School District Board of Education approved a slate of routine and substantive items including policy revisions, facility rental requests, two construction contracts and the district's preliminary fiscal 2026 budget and tax rate. Most motions passed by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

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Board approves preliminary FY26 budget and tax rate; officials cite reassessment and revenue-neutral aim

Seaford board approves school-discipline improvement plans; staff point to MTSS and mental-health supports

Seaford School District board approves policies, facilities rentals, contracts and preliminary budget