Christina cancels referendum in midst of statewide reassessments

NEWARK – The Christina School District Board of Education has voted to cancel its March 26 referendum, which would increase the local taxes of the district’s residents.

What would have been its first referendum in five years, the board decided to push it off due to ongoing statewide property reassessments that haven’t been done in decades and should be completed by year’s end. 

While most residents have received their letters of new assessment value, there are still months of appeals expected. 

School districts are allowed to increase the amount of tax revenue when a reassessment is done, which would fill the budget gap for at least one year, meaning a referendum to increase taxes isn’t necessary. 

Christina’s explanation

“We have listened carefully to our taxpayers and staff,” said Bob Vacca, the district’s chief financial officer, in Tuesday’s board meeting. “After thoughtful consideration, we believe it’s in the best interest of our community to postpone the referendum, allowing everyone time to adjust to the recent property reassessments.”

Vacca noted that asking for a tax hike at a time when district residents are digesting and maybe appealing their new property values is challenging. 

The conversation to delay the referendum gained traction in the district’s December board meeting. 

“We want our community members to feel informed and have the opportunity to take a breath before making decisions about our district’s future,” Vacca said. 

The statewide reassessments result from a 2020 lawsuit in which a Chancery Court judge ruled that the state’s property tax system is unconstitutional as part of an education funding lawsuit. 

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Among other requirements like millions of dollars into opportunity funding – which provides weighted funding and support for low-income students and English learners in public schools – the lawsuit tasked the three counties to conduct their first property reassessments in decades.

Christina has no plans to set a date for a future referendum.

“The Board and the District remain committed to ensuring that our community is well-prepared and informed when the time comes to discuss important decisions for our schools,” a statement from the district read.