MIDDLETOWN — Appoquinimink School District broke ground on a new education facility, Crystal Run Elementary School last week.

Approved in a 2019 referendum, Crystal Run Elementary is the first of four schools that will eventually call the campus home. Additional buildings, to be added in future referendums, will include an early childhood center, middle school and high school.

A ground breaking ceremony on site included the superintendent and school board; elected officials including Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and State Sen. Stephanie Hansen; local construction partners EDiS, Landmark Engineering and the architectural partnership ABHA I BSA+A; and students from the district’s Construction Pathway who hope to one day have careers in a construction-related field.

Dr. Matt Burrows, Appoquinimink superintendent, expressed gratitude to the community for the support that made this project possible.

“This is an exciting day,” he said. “We’re thrilled to begin construction of our ninth and newest elementary school, which will serve families in the northwest and help prevent overcrowding at elementary schools across the District. When this state-of-the-art facility is completed (in Summer 2023), it will make a deep and lasting impact on generations of learners.”

His enthusiasm was echoed by the guests present.

State Rep. Sherae’a Moore, an ASD alumni whose district includes the new school, couldn’t attend in person. Instead, she sent her congratulations noting, “The Appoquinimink School District is in many ways the bedrock of our community, and its schools and educators are the key to our shared success and prosperity. Crystal Run Elementary and the schools that will join it here on the Summit Run Campus will ensure that legacy continues to grow for generations to come."