Reverse the July 9 Appoquinimink School Board Tax Increase – Demand Transparency

On July 9, 2025, the Appoquinimink School Board voted to impose a 10% increase to the district’s operating tax rate—raising serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and public trust.

This decision stems from nearly $4.9 million in funds that were either lost, mismanaged, or misallocated, creating a financial shortfall that district officials themselves admitted to during the meeting. Rather than engaging the community or seeking a public vote, the five-member board acted unilaterally, raising the tax rate to 63.75 cents per $100 of assessed value—the third such increase in just six years.

More than two dozen MOT-area residents attended the meeting and voiced frustration, but were ultimately ignored. The board’s decision directly contradicts promises made during its 2024 campaign, when it assured voters it would not pursue a 10% operational increase.

This move not only bypassed community input—it damaged public confidence in the district’s leadership. In response, we are calling for:

• A public hearing with full disclosure of all financial records and the nature of the accounting error;
• An immediate rollback of the tax hike pending a public referendum;
• An independent financial audit with all findings released to the public. 
• Our schools deserve funding—but our community deserves honesty and a voice in the process. Sign below if you believe in transparency, accountability, and the right to be heard.