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Citizen Portal News Delaware
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Kent County's Levy Court just approved a series of impactful contracts and personnel changes aimed at enhancing local infrastructure and emergency services!

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#KentCounty #DE #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #KentCountyInfrastructure #HealthAwareness
Kent County approves multiple contracts, grants holiday and personnel changes at Dec. 16 Levy Court meeting
Levy Court approved procurement and engineering contracts (recreation room, Pump Station No. 3, Hedgerow Hollow engineering, Limble CMMS via SHI), created three new paramedic ranks, and adopted proclamations including National Blood Donor Month; most motions passed unanimously or with one absence.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 11:04 AM
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Appoquinimink School District is launching a bold plan to expand special education services and bring students back from a statewide program, but board members are demanding crucial details on staffing and costs before moving forward.

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#DE #SpecialEducation #VocationalPathways
Appoquinimink outlines major special-education expansion, board presses for staffing and cost data
District officials proposed expanding autism and vocational pathways across the district, bringing students back from a state program; board members asked for enrollment and cost forecasts and raised trade-off questions about concentration versus spreading services.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 9:37 PM
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The Appoquinimink School District is taking bold steps to enhance financial transparency and tackle cash-flow challenges, but can they weather the storm until tax receipts arrive?

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#DE #BudgetTransparency #FinancialReform #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability
Appoquinimink district moves to clarify finances, signs off on FY26 amended preliminary budget
Superintendent and finance staff outlined steps to improve budget transparency, proposed budgeting software Allaview and recommended internal controls; the board approved an amended FY26 preliminary budget amid lingering uncertainty over county tax appeals and cash flow.
citizenportal.ai
December 20, 2025 at 9:12 PM
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Seaford School District faces a daunting $634,068 setback from the state, prompting a controversial plan that could cut six teaching positions while scrambling for grant funding to fill the gaps.

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#DE #CommunityResources #EducationFunding #LocalGovernance #CitizenPortal
Seaford must return $634,068 under state adjustments; district outlines cuts and shifting of units
District finance staff told the board it must return $634,068 to state education coffers, proposing an "alternative reduction plan" that uses fractional state units and grant funding to minimize discretionary losses and estimates eliminating six teacher units now while seeking replacements through grants.
citizenportal.ai
December 17, 2025 at 1:40 AM
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Seaford School District reveals a mixed bag of accountability results, with impressive gains in middle-school special education but concerningly low SAT scores at the high school level.

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#DE #EducationAccountability #CurriculumAlignment #SpecialEducationGains #CitizenPortal
Seaford School District shows mixed assessment results; middle-school special-education proficiency posts large gains
At its Dec. 15 board meeting Seaford School District presented state accountability results showing K–5 ELA and math at or above state average in early grades, low high‑school SAT proficiency, and notable proficiency gains among middle‑school special‑education students; the district outlined curriculum and vertical‑alignment steps to address gaps.
citizenportal.ai
December 16, 2025 at 9:25 PM
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Parents and educators are raising alarms over a controversial plan to transform McCain High School into an Innovation Center, citing serious risks to special education and community equity.

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#DE #CitizenPortal #SpecialEducation #EquityInEducation #CommunityInput
Parents and staff urge Red Clay board to pause McCain Innovation Center plan, citing special‑education and equity concerns
Multiple staff and parents testified at the Nov. 19 Red Clay board meeting urging the district to delay an Innovation Center/high‑school reconfiguration tied to McCain, citing a lack of transparency, low survey response rates and risks to special‑education continuity, transportation and school demographics.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 11:39 PM
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Kent County Levy Court has rejected a controversial proposal to rezone 15.5 acres for a mini-storage facility, citing community concerns over drainage and neighborhood character.

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#KentCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #ZoningRegulations #InfrastructureIssues #KentCountyAgriculture
Levy Court denies rezoning request for 15.5-acre parcel on S. Dupont Highway
Kent County Levy Court on Nov. 18 denied LC25-25, a request to rezone about 15.5 acres from AR to BG for a proposed mini-storage facility; the Regional Planning Commission had unanimously recommended denial and nearby residents raised drainage, traffic and character concerns.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 10:19 PM
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Kent County Levy Court takes a bold step, removing Commissioner George Jody Sweeney from all committee roles due to controversial social-media activity that has sparked public outcry.

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#KentCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #KentCountyAccountability #EthicsReform #SocialMediaPolicy
Kent County Levy Court removes Commissioner George Jody Sweeney from committee and liaison roles
Levy Court voted 6–0 (1 absent) on Nov. 18 to remove Commissioner George Jody Sweeney from all committee and liaison assignments after members cited his social-media posts; commissioners and members of the public described the step as discipline short of removing him from office.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 10:15 PM
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Seaford is eyeing a $5.8 million water and sewer overhaul with enticing state loan offers and significant principal forgiveness—will the council take the plunge?

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#SeafordSussexCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #SeafordWaterProjects #WaterQuality
Seaford reviews SRF loan offers and principal forgiveness for sewer, water and well projects
City staff presented three related public hearings on Nov. 25 seeking state SRF loans and principal forgiveness for Martin Farms sewer relocation, a companion water relocation and a new Nylon well project; staff said some principal will be forgiven but council must consider budget timing and hydrogeologic concerns raised by members.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
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Kent County's Board of Adjustment just made a groundbreaking decision, allowing a tiny home to stay closer to the property line due to unique site constraints and emergency housing needs!

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#KentCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #HomeImprovement #KentCountyHousing #BuildingRegulations
Board approves ADU setback variance amid septic and permitting constraints
The Kent County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved application A25-31 to allow a detached accessory dwelling unit to remain 9 feet from the rear property line, citing site constraints including a newly installed mound septic system and cost to relocate. Approval included a condition to remove the extra building before further permitting.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 8:58 PM
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Georgetown just lifted the time limits on political signs, sparking a debate about free speech and civic engagement!

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#GeorgetownSussexCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #FirstAmendment #PoliticalSpeech #CivicParticipation #GeorgetownPolitics
Georgetown council approves ordinance removing time limits on political signs
The Georgetown Town Council approved Ordinance 2025-09 to remove the 60-day-before/7-days-after time restriction for political signs, citing concerns about content-based limits on political speech. The amendment keeps other location and safety rules intact.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
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Newcastle County's delayed tax bills are causing a cash-flow crunch for local schools, with revenue projections plummeting from $68 million last year to just $25 million this year!

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#DE #CitizenPortal #EducationFunding #CashFlowIssues #TaxRevenueChallenges
Brandywine finance presentation: delayed tax bills and higher charter payments squeeze cash flow
Finance staff told the board delayed Newcastle County tax bills and a large first charter payment pushed tax receipts later in the year, lowering projected interest revenue and creating a negative November cash-flow projection that the state will temporarily offset.
citizenportal.ai
November 23, 2025 at 9:19 AM
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The number of Brandywine students needing complex special-education supports has skyrocketed from 538 to 1,120 in just seven years, raising critical questions about federal assessment rules and diploma pathways.

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#DE #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #PolicyReform #EducationAccess
Brandywine superintendent: students with intensive special-education needs have more than doubled since 2019
Superintendent Doctor Lawson told the board the number of Brandywine students with complex or intensive special-education needs rose from 538 in 2019 to 1,120 in 2026 and explained how federal 1% alternate-assessment caps and state identification changes affected alternate-diploma eligibility.
citizenportal.ai
November 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
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The Lake Forest School District is experiencing unexpected staff growth and financial shifts, but a proposed grant-funded position has been rejected—what's next for the board?

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#DE #CitizenPortal #StaffingGrowth #FinancialTransparency #EducationFunding
Lake Forest board approves financial report, notes staff growth; one grant-funded hire fails
Board approved the monthly financial report and several routine resolutions after a finance update showing a large tax deposit and unexpected staff growth; one resolution to approve a grant-funded administrative hire failed 0-4.
citizenportal.ai
November 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
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The Lake Forest School District Board has taken a bold step towards enhancing funding for capital improvements by unanimously voting to explore an increase in the county's building-permit impact fee.

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#DE #BuildingPermits #CitizenPortal #CapitalImprovements #FinancialAssistance
Lake Forest board to pursue county impact‑fee increase after finance briefing
After a presentation on Kent County impact fees and the district's $3.3 million impact‑fee reserve, the Lake Forest School Board voted unanimously to pursue joining other districts in seeking an increase to the county's permit‑based impact fee.
citizenportal.ai
November 15, 2025 at 3:40 PM
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Seaford City Council has just approved a significant increase in sewer impact fees to fund a $47 million expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, raising questions about the future costs for developers and residents alike.

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#SeafordSussexCounty #DE #PublicFunding
Seaford approves sewer impact and tap-fee increases to help pay for $47M wastewater plant expansion
Council approved a schedule that raises sewer impact fees and revises tap fees to fund a planned $47 million wastewater treatment plant expansion that increases capacity from 2 million to 3 million gallons; staff estimates per-EDU impact costs and projected county revenue increases under the new rates.
citizenportal.ai
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
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A major overhaul is in the works for the Richardson Park pump station, aimed at modernizing operations and protecting against flooding for 30,000 customers.

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#NewCastleCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #FloodRiskManagement #InfrastructureImprovement #NewCastleCountyPublicWorks
County seeks revolving fund and loan for Richardson Park pump station replacement
Officials briefed the committee on a two-phase Richardson Park pump station replacement serving about 30,000 sewer customers; phase 2 (above-grade work) is estimated at about $17 million and staff said the county may seek a $17.7 million loan to include contingency.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 4:15 PM
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Supporters are rallying for the Cool Springs Crossing proposal, highlighting its potential to create a vibrant community, but council members are raising critical questions about traffic and school impacts.

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#SussexCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #PublicInfrastructure
Supporters and some officials back Cool Springs Crossing; councilors press on traffic, maps and school impacts
During public comment supporters lauded the project's design, job creation and conservation; councilors and technical witnesses probed traffic modeling, Office of State Planning maps, internal capture assumptions and whether some workforce units could later convert to market rate.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 6:59 AM
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Georgetown's Town Council is stirring up controversy with a proposed cottage-housing ordinance that could redefine residential living, sparking passionate debates among residents.

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#GeorgetownSussexCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #ZoningReform #AffordableHousing #GeorgetownHousing
Georgetown advances zoning amendments and hears heated debate over cottage housing and proposed Market Street Village
Council held first reading of Ordinance 2025-07 to allow cottage housing developments (CDUs 350–850 sq ft; max 12 units/acre) in UR1 and read letters both for and against the Market Street Village proposal; two separate zoning amendments (Ordinances 2025-11 and 2025-12) were adopted after roll-call votes.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 6:09 AM
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Cool Springs Crossing promises to preserve critical wetlands while generating thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue—could this be the sustainable development Sussex County needs?

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#SussexCounty #DE #WorkforceHousing #CitizenPortal #SussexCountyWetlands
Developer says Cool Springs Crossing will protect Martin Branch wetlands while delivering jobs and workforce housing
Developer and supporters told Sussex County officials the Cool Springs Crossing master plan will preserve Martin Branch wetlands and 117 acres of conservation, provide roughly 700 workforce units (including SCARP units), and produce major construction and long‑term job gains; public commenters and county staff raised traffic and land‑use questions.
citizenportal.ai
November 12, 2025 at 10:31 PM
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Springboard Delaware reports promising results from the Pallet Village navigation center, with plans to expand, but residents raise urgent safety concerns.

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#GeorgetownSussexCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #HomelessnessSupport #CommunityPartnerships #PublicSafetyConcerns
Springboard Delaware tells Georgetown council Pallet Village is working while residents raise safety and capacity questions
Springboard Delaware updated the Georgetown Town Council on Pallet Village operations, reporting daily by-name counts, partnerships, and program outcomes (about 35% exits to permanent housing, average stay four months), and said a second navigation center is planned in Wilmington; residents pressed concerns about drug activity, board turnover and a
citizenportal.ai
November 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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Sussex County Council's recent public hearing on the controversial 637-acre Cool Spring Crossing plan has sparked significant opposition, with residents raising alarm over traffic congestion, inadequate public services, and urgent calls for a delay.

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#SussexCounty #DE
Sussex County hearing draws widespread opposition to Cool Spring Crossing FLUM amendment; council keeps record open
Hundreds of residents and the Sussex Preservation Coalition urged Sussex County Council to deny or delay a proposed future land use map amendment and related zoning requests for the 637-acre Cool Spring Crossing development, citing traffic, schools, emergency services and legal/process concerns. Council closed the public hearing but left the record
citizenportal.ai
November 10, 2025 at 3:23 AM
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A bold new vision for Sussex County is on the table with the proposed Cool Spring Crossing, featuring 1,922 residential units, a vibrant town center, and critical community services all set against the backdrop of pressing traffic and environmental concerns.

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#SussexCounty #DE
Freeman presents 637‑acre “Cool Spring Crossing” plan; traffic, housing and sewer capacity dominate council hearing
At a Nov. 4 Sussex County Council hearing, Freeman Companies presented Cool Spring Crossing, a 637‑acre mixed‑use master plan that would add 1,922 housing units, a town center, an educational campus and an assisted‑living/medical complex. The presentation and subsequent DelDOT review focused council attention on traffic mitigation, sewer and water‑
citizenportal.ai
November 10, 2025 at 3:13 AM
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Kent County's recent approval of a 30-acre community solar project could reshape the future of energy in the region while preserving the land's legacy.

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#KentCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #KentCountyCommunity #RenewableEnergy #LandUsePlanning
Levy Court rezones 30 acres to allow community solar project; owners cite long family ownership
Ordinance LC 25‑22 rezoned roughly 30.22 acres from residential‑manufactured home/general business to agricultural conservation and amended the comprehensive‑plan designation to low‑density residential. The property owners and applicant Soltage said the rezoning would enable a community solar facility; commissioners cited traffic concerns and said,
citizenportal.ai
November 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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The Colonial School Board is diving deep into legislative priorities, including a controversial shift in the burden of proof for complaints and a push for better funding for mental health services in schools.

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#DE #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthServices #AccountabilityReform
DSBA legislative priorities highlighted to Colonial board: burden of proof, behavioral health funding, SAT concerns
Dr. Dorsey reported to the Colonial School Board on three topics discussed by the Delaware School Boards Association legislative committee: proposals to shift burden of proof in complaints to complainants, calls for unit-based and flexible funding for mental and behavioral health services, and critique of using the SAT as the sole high-school-level
citizenportal.ai
November 6, 2025 at 4:39 AM