School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Colonial School District – July 14, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Colonial School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: REGULAR SESSION - Jul 14 2026
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-14
• City: New Castle
• County: New Castle
• State: delaware
• Meeting Source URL: https://colonialschooldistrict-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=479
• Meeting Listing URL: https://colonialschooldistrict-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/
• Public Body Website: https://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/board-of-education
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwn6z9IPhzSu0qjZKzcXUHw/streams
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwn6z9IPhzSu0qjZKzcXUHw

What Community Members Should Know

The July 14, 2026 regular meeting serves as Colonial School District's annual organizational meeting while also advancing several major operational and policy decisions. Board members are scheduled to elect officers for the 2026-2027 year, appoint representatives to statewide education organizations, approve a preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 budget, review district construction projects funded through the 2024 capital referendum, and receive updates on long-range elementary attendance boundary changes.

Financial planning is the most consequential topic. District administrators are requesting approval of a preliminary FY2027 operating budget totaling approximately $186.2 million in expenditures, with projected revenues of approximately $241.3 million. Because New Castle County's property reassessment process delayed the annual tax warrant until October, the district proposes a temporary spending plan that intentionally limits many locally funded budgets while maintaining district operations until a final tax rate can be adopted. The budget presentation explains that this preliminary spending authority is not intended to represent the district's final annual operating plan.

The meeting also highlights continuing implementation of the voter-approved February 2024 operating and capital referendum. Multiple renovation contracts, architectural agreements, athletic facility improvements, water infrastructure approvals, and planning studies appear throughout the packet, demonstrating that construction activity will remain a significant district priority over the next several years.

Families should also pay close attention to two policy initiatives: a proposed districtwide student cell phone policy receiving its first reading and an update on the 2027-2028 elementary feeder pattern realignment, which is intended to address building capacity and special education programming across the district.

Major Discussion and Action Items

FY2027 Preliminary Budget

The Board will consider approving a preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 budget covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Administrators explain that delayed county property reassessment and legislation postponing tax-rate setting require the district to begin the fiscal year under temporary spending authority until the tax warrant is finalized in October. The preliminary expenditure budget totals approximately $186.2 million, while estimated total revenues are approximately $241.3 million before final tax rates are established. The district notes that many locally funded budgets have intentionally been reduced pending final revenue certainty.

Board Organization for 2026-2027

Because this is the annual organizational meeting, the Board is scheduled to elect its President and Vice President, appoint Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey D. Menzer as Executive Secretary in accordance with Delaware law, and select representatives to the Delaware School Boards Association Board of Directors and Legislative Committee. These appointments establish district governance responsibilities for the coming year.

Capital Improvement Program

Numerous construction-related approvals appear in the consent agenda. These include Eisenberg renovation construction documents, McCullough project construction management agreements, a New Castle school renovation study, William Penn High School sports complex documentation, structural fill work associated with William Penn, water system approvals, and substitute staffing procurement. Together, these items represent continued implementation of capital improvements approved by district voters.

WE Improve Facilities Program

District leadership will provide a progress report on the "WE Improve Facilities" initiative. The presentation describes a four-part transparency strategy that includes educating the public about capital project terminology, monthly oversight through a Major Capital Construction Review Committee, identifying referendum-related agenda items, and providing quarterly public updates regarding construction progress funded through the February 2024 referendum.

Student Cell Phone Policy

The administration is presenting proposed Policy #298, Cell Phone Use By Students During School Hours, for a first reading. Elementary students generally would be required to keep devices powered off and stored during school hours. Secondary students would be prohibited from using phones during instructional time unless specifically authorized, while limited use during non-instructional periods could be allowed under school rules. The proposal includes exceptions for medical needs, IEPs, Section 504 plans, emergencies, language-access needs, and instructional purposes. Final consideration is expected at the August 2026 Board meeting.

Elementary Feeder Pattern Realignment

Administrators will update the Board on plans to realign elementary attendance patterns beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. According to the packet, the changes are intended to address building capacity created by the district's reimagining of special education settings while promoting equitable access to programs and efficient use of district resources.

Policy Manual Review

Following a year-long review by the Policy Committee, administrators recommend approval of technical and clerical corrections to numerous existing Board policies. The packet emphasizes that these changes are non-substantive and largely correct typographical, formatting, or wording issues, while more significant policy recommendations will return to the Board after additional administrative review.

Financial Matters

The preliminary FY2027 budget estimates approximately $241.3 million in total revenue, including roughly $148.4 million in state revenue, $82.9 million in local revenue, and $10.0 million in federal revenue. The district's preliminary expenditure authority totals approximately $186.2 million because locally funded spending has intentionally been limited until tax rates are finalized.

The executive summary notes that the February 2024 referendum included operating revenue increases extending into FY2027, with approximately $1.6 million in additional operating revenue anticipated. The district also expects increased debt-service tax requirements associated with referendum-funded capital projects and indicates that a tuition tax increase will be recommended to address growing special education costs.

State funding changes include restoration of Division II All Other Costs funding to FY2018 levels, providing roughly $1.8 million in additional discretionary state funding. State salary increases tied to Public Education Compensation Committee recommendations and recently negotiated transportation and nutrition employee agreements are also incorporated into the budget.

The consent agenda also includes multiple construction agreements, architectural contracts, engineering documents, renovation studies, athletic facility improvements, and procurement actions supporting ongoing capital work throughout the district.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The organizational meeting establishes Board leadership and statewide representation for the coming year through officer elections and committee appointments.

Policy Committee recommendations include approval of technical and clerical revisions affecting multiple Board policies without changing their substantive requirements. Examples include corrections to policies addressing Title IX, internet safety, home schooling, advertising, services to home-schooled students, and school constables.

Policy #298 on student cell phone use receives its required first reading. The draft establishes expectations for elementary and secondary students, defines unauthorized electronic device use, outlines exceptions, requires communication of expectations to families, and calls for monitoring disciplinary data to promote equitable enforcement. Final Board action is expected at a subsequent meeting.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The Board will receive the FY2027 preliminary budget presentation from Chief Financial Officer Emily Falcon.

Administrators will present a WE Improve Facilities update describing progress on referendum-funded capital projects and the district's public reporting process.

District staff will also update the Board and community regarding elementary feeder pattern planning for implementation during the 2027-2028 school year.

The consent agenda includes routine financial reports, budget variance reporting through May 31, 2026, property tax receipt summaries, educational travel requests for FFA programs, and operational updates associated with district facilities.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel actions within the consent agenda include confirmation of standard personnel items, EPER actions, and volunteer coach appointments.

The Board will approve a methodology governing annual salary increases for non-bargaining employee groups. The proposal links various employee categories to state budgets, negotiated union agreements, or established salary structures while preserving administrative flexibility in limited circumstances.

Annual governance appointments, including Board officers and Delaware School Boards Association representatives, will establish leadership responsibilities for the 2026-2027 Board year.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Major facility work continues across the district through projects involving Eisenberg Elementary renovations, McCullough improvements, William Penn High School athletic facilities, Leach infrastructure, and planning for New Castle school renovations.

The McCullough work includes roofing replacement, security improvements, athletic field upgrades, track resurfacing, site improvements, parking area restoration, and associated construction management services.

William Penn High School project documentation includes stormwater analysis, construction drawings, record plans, county approvals, and structural fill recommendations.

District administrators continue using the WE Improve initiative to communicate project timelines, construction oversight, and referendum implementation to the community.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The meeting includes a public comment period allowing speakers up to three minutes each.

Community members may comment either in person or virtually by registering through the Board of Education section of the district website. Staff note that comments involving confidential personnel or student matters cannot be addressed in open session because of privacy laws.

The Board will also receive public visibility into the first reading of the proposed student cell phone policy and updates regarding future feeder pattern changes before later decisions are considered.

Community Impact

Students and families may ultimately experience new expectations for student cell phone use beginning after Board approval, as well as future elementary attendance boundary changes beginning in 2027-2028.

Taxpayers should expect additional budget action later in 2026 once New Castle County finalizes the tax warrant and the district adopts its final FY2027 budget and tax rates.

Employees are affected through proposed salary administration for non-bargaining groups, routine personnel actions, and continued investment in district facilities.

Residents are likely to continue seeing construction activity at multiple campuses as referendum-funded capital projects move through design, procurement, and construction phases.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• How will the final FY2027 budget change after tax rates are finalized in October?
• Which capital projects are expected to begin construction first during FY2027?
• What measures will be used to evaluate the success of the WE Improve Facilities initiative?
• How will families be informed if feeder pattern changes affect their neighborhood?
• What public engagement opportunities remain before feeder pattern decisions become final?
• How will the proposed cell phone policy be enforced consistently across schools?
• How will exceptions for medical, disability, and emergency needs be administered?
• What additional operating costs are anticipated from referendum-funded facilities?
• How will enrollment trends influence future staffing and facility planning?
• What metrics will the Board monitor to determine whether the new policies achieve their intended outcomes?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 14, 2026: Board considers organizational actions, preliminary FY2027 budget, capital project updates, policy revisions, and other agenda items.
• July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027: Fiscal year covered by the preliminary budget.
• August 2026: Administration expects to seek Board approval of proposed Policy #298 regarding student cell phone use.
• October 2026: Expected finalization of the county tax warrant and district tax rate, followed by presentation of a revised FY2027 budget.
• 2027-2028 School Year: Planned implementation of elementary feeder pattern realignment.
• Through FY2029: Continued implementation of referendum-funded capital projects described in the budget and facilities updates.

Key Takeaways

• Annual Board officer elections are a major component of this meeting.
• A preliminary FY2027 operating budget is requested because tax rates cannot yet be finalized.
• Preliminary expenditures total about $186.2 million under temporary spending authority.
• Estimated FY2027 revenues total approximately $241.3 million.
• The district expects additional operating revenue from the 2024 referendum.
• Multiple campus renovation and athletic facility projects continue moving forward.
• The WE Improve initiative is intended to increase transparency around referendum-funded construction.
• A new student cell phone policy receives its first formal Board reading.
• Elementary feeder pattern changes remain targeted for the 2027-2028 school year.
• Technical corrections to numerous Board policies are recommended without substantive policy changes.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://colonialschooldistrict-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=479
• Meeting listing: https://colonialschooldistrict-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/
• Public body website: https://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/board-of-education
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwn6z9IPhzSu0qjZKzcXUHw/streams
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwn6z9IPhzSu0qjZKzcXUHw

About the Public Body

• Name: Colonial School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: New Castle, delaware
• County: New Castle
• Provider: diligent

Keywords

Colonial School District, Board of Education, Regular Session, July 14 2026, FY2027 budget, preliminary budget, capital referendum, WE Improve Facilities, William Penn High School, McCullough project, Eisenberg renovations, New Castle renovation study, elementary feeder pattern realignment, student cell phone policy, Policy 298, Delaware School Boards Association, Board organization, construction projects, facilities, special education, operating referendum, budget variance, property taxes, capital improvements, non-bargaining salaries, public comment, Delaware education, New Castle County