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Citizen Portal News Delaware
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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
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The Seaford City Council has taken decisive action to demolish the condemned Seaford Inn, turning a long-standing eyesore into a fresh opportunity for redevelopment.

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#SeafordSussexCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunityImprovement #SeafordInn
Seaford council approves funding plan to demolish long‑vacant Seaford Inn
Council voted unanimously Oct. 28 to fund the demolition of the condemned Seaford Inn at 24058 Sussex Highway using hotel/motel tax reserve funds. Estimated demolition and pool‑fill costs are about $450,000; staff said the cost will be recorded as a lien against the property.
citizenportal.ai
November 2, 2025 at 9:37 AM
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Superintendent Dr. Lucas reveals ambitious goals for academic success and community partnerships, while addressing critical challenges in staffing and aging facilities.

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#DE #CitizenPortal #CommunityPartnerships #SchoolClimate
Superintendent outlines strategic priorities, targets and climate-survey results
Superintendent Dr. Lucas presented the districts semiannual strategic-plan update and last years climate survey results Sept. 25. He outlined academic proficiency targets, staffing gains, CTE expansion, risks related to state capital funding and aging buildings, and summarized generally favorable climate-survey findings.
citizenportal.ai
November 2, 2025 at 9:33 AM
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Seaford's City Council just greenlit the construction of two six-unit townhouse buildings, paving the way for new developments on North Hall Street!

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#SeafordSussexCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #SeafordTownhouses #CommunityPlanning #SustainableConstruction
Seaford council approves final site plan for Cypress Haven townhouses on Hall Street
The council unanimously approved a final site plan for Cypress Haven LLC to construct two six‑unit townhouse buildings on a vacant lot at North Hall Street. The project includes 28 parking spaces, stormwater controls and will require final sign‑offs from the city engineer, the State Fire Marshal and the Sussex Conservation District.
citizenportal.ai
November 2, 2025 at 3:24 AM
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The Lake Forest School District has unveiled a strong financial position with $8 million in discretionary funds, paving the way for a promising FY2026 budget.

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#DE #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #EducationFunding #CommunityResources
Lake Forest board hears strong July 1 financial snapshot, approves FY2026 preliminary budget
Board was presented with a July 1 financial position report showing about $8.0 million in discretionary local funds and approved the district's FY2026 preliminary budget. Finance staff said the district exceeds the Delaware one-month payroll reserve threshold and highlighted potential future pressure from state equalization changes.
citizenportal.ai
November 2, 2025 at 2:53 AM
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Discover how the University of Delaware's Carvel Research and Education Center is redefining agricultural research and outreach, despite a pause on their ambitious greenhouse project.

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#SussexCounty #DE #CitizenPortal #CommunityOutreach #AgriculturalResearch #SustainableFarming
University of Delawares Carvel Research and Education Center briefs Sussex County Council on diagnostics and outreach; greenhouse plan on hold
James Atkins of the Carvel Research and Education Center described state research assets based at the center, including diagnostic labs, research farms and extension programs. A previously funded greenhouse planning effort is on hold while designs are scaled back, and a qPCR machine in a sterile lab has enabled nearly $1 million in grant funding.
citizenportal.ai
October 31, 2025 at 9:40 AM