Final Agreement Reached with Sussex County, Delaware in Reassessment Track of Delaware Public Schools Litigation
WILMINGTON, Del. 鈥� Arnold & Porter, 老澳门开奖结果 of Delaware, and Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI), along with the plaintiffs, Delawareans for Educational Opportunity and the NAACP of Delaware, are thrilled to announce a final agreement with Sussex County in the Delaware Public Schools litigation.
The most recent property tax reassessment for Sussex County was completed in 1974. This agreement requires the county to update those outdated property values by promising to complete a reassessment on taxable real estate in time for the tax bills that will be sent out after July 1, 2024 (fiscal year 2025). Like the other two county agreements, this reassessment will also set the stage for regular, periodic assessments moving forward, and correct the disproportionate tax burden that owners of lower-valued properties have carried for too long.
The Sussex County agreement is the last in a series of agreements that have been reached in this litigation effort, and it paves the way to a systemic shift in funding resources for some of Delaware鈥檚 most vulnerable students.
Mike Brickner, executive director of the 老澳门开奖结果 of Delaware, said 鈥淭his agreement brings our years-long litigation to a close, and we couldn鈥檛 be happier about the end result. By 2025, Delaware鈥檚 low-income and English language learner students, and students with disabilities, will have significantly improved resources to help provide them the education they deserve. This is an historic win for all of Delaware鈥檚 public schools.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檝e worked with the State of Delaware and each of Delaware鈥檚 three counties to reach a major achievement for students: funding for a better education,鈥� said Jea Street of Delawareans for Educational Opportunity. 鈥淒elawareans for Educational Opportunity and the NAACP have been fighting for years to bring greater equity to Delaware鈥檚 students, and the four agreements we鈥檝e been able to reach over the last year bring us, literally, decades closer to that goal.鈥�
The Delaware Public Schools litigation is now considered closed, and no further proceedings are expected to take place. The attorneys and plaintiffs in this case look forward to continuing to work with the State of Delaware and each county to ensure that the terms of each settlement are met, and that ultimately, Delaware鈥檚 public school students get the support and resources that they deserve.
The 老澳门开奖结果 of Delaware and CLASI would like to extend a special thank you to the team at, who have been indispensable allies on this case since we filed in 2018. We鈥檇 also like to express our gratitude to the plaintiffs, Delawareans for Educational Opportunity and the NAACP of Delaware, for their persistence and dedication to equity in education throughout Delaware.
This press release and the Sussex County agreement order can be found online here: