Tax vote bears fruit with Cape school groundbreaking
Gold shovels hit the dirt, and the Cape Henlopen School District began a new chapter in its history.
The district broke ground on a new H.O. Brittingham on the same land occupied by the current elementary school.
The groundbreaking came one year to the day after residents in the district voted to raise taxes to fund the new elementary school, a fact that was not far from the mind of Brian Bassett, the director of facilities operation and construction for the district.
"I think I speak for (district superintendent Bob Fulton) that this is a lot more relaxing day than one year ago when we were wondering if the referendum was going to make it or not," he said. "But 2,947 people came out and voted yes to give Milton a new school on this site, which is phenomenal, and we really cannot thank the community enough for showing us support for all of the projects, and this project specifically."
For Fulton, the district's superintendent, the groundbreaking represented the progress the district is making.
He was happy the new building received such strong support during the 2016 referendum vote, saying the 74 percent who voted in favor of the school indicated strong community support.
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And although the groundbreaking on March 23 was just for one school, Fulton had his eye on the future.
"We have a few more of these groundbreaking ceremonies over the next three or four years," he said, "but I couldn’t be happier for the students and staff of H.O. Brittingham. This is really going to be a great school."
Bassett tells people when they ask what the school will look like to go see the Love Creek Elementary School under construction outside Lewes along Route 24.
However, Bassett said, the two schools will differ a little.
The new H.O. Brittingham will have expanded kindergarten and first grade areas, Bassett said, as well as a learning space on the roof of the building.
Some of the features of Love Creek Elementary School that are also coming to H.O. Brittingham — such as common areas for each grade — have H.O. Brittingham's principal, Ned Gladfelter, very excited.
The principal said he is looking forward to having students move out of the cottages behind the school and into the main building so the school can come together as a community.
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"Mainly, we are looking forward to establishing a fresh, new routine in a learning environment where every child has the opportunity to perform to their full potential," Gladfelter said. "We are all very excited for the new adventures that lie ahead."
The current H.O. Brittingham was constructed in 1966, and although Bassett said the building has served the district well, he said it is time for a new one.
He also said he was thankful the new school will remain true to its past.
"This groundbreaking is unique and special to me because we are using existing land," he said. "H.O. Brittingham has always been on this site, and it’s always going to be on this site."
rghughes@delmarvanow.com
On Twitter @hughesg19
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