Caesar Rodney School District is hoping for a successful operating expense referendum for the first time in a decade.

The Kent County district is planning to ask voters in February 2026 to approve increasing the school tax rate by less than 10 cents, as approved in a unanimous school board vote on Oct. 13 . They hope to raise about $6.1 million in its first year, specifically for educator retention, public safety initiatives and student programming.

The ask would cost the average taxpayer about $274 more each year, according to the district, with a jump of 9.22 cents to reach a rate of 23.96 cents per $100 of assessed property value.

Delaware schools can use a referendum for two reasons: capital projects – new construction, new schools, the like – or operating funds – money to run the

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