After failing inFebruary to pass a referendum for added classroom space, the Indian River School District will ask againonMay 7.
The proposalwould ask residents to help cover construction costs foradded classrooms atIndian River High School and Selbyville Middle School, as well as a new Sussex Central High School building. Proponents say it's necessary for the district's increasing student population.
“We believe the proposal being put forth in the referendum is the most equitable solution to our overcrowding issues and will save taxpayers millions of dollars over previous proposals considered by the Board of Education,"said Indian River School District Superintendent Mark Steele in a statement.
Background:Indian River School District to introduce second referendum for new classrooms, building
The referendum would meana maximum possible tax increase of $68.96 for the average district property owner, according to a news release from the school district. The increase would be phased in over a four-year period, the release said.
The referendum would fund a new Sussex Central High School building, whichwouldhold 2,200 students versus the current building's 1,500-student capacity.
The near 310,000-square-foot building,which officialsapproved in May, would be built next to the school's current location.Thenew high school would be built on land that is already owned by thedistrict, the release said.
The district expects the newbuilding, should voters decide to pay for it,would reach capacity after its first decade.
The measure would also add eight classrooms to Indian River High School, making room for 250 more students; and four classrooms toSelbyville Middle School, making room for 125more students.
Steele said in the release that the additions and relocations would "alleviate overcrowding" in the northern part of the district while "preventing it from becoming a problem" in the southern part.
The district says it needs the added space to house its student population. The district is one of the fastest-growing in Delaware, and school officials expectnumbers tokeep growing. Current district-wide enrollment is 10,885 students—a188-pupil bump since the last official count in the fall, according to a district spokesperson.
The district has grown by1,826 students since 2011, and enrollment growth is projected to reach 12,473 students by 2024, the release said.
Those inside Sussex Central High School, which this year enrolls about 160 more students than its current building is meant to hold,say that the lack of space inhibits daily operations. That includestraveling through hallwaysandgetting lunch on time, referendum advocates say.
The district warns that Sussex Centralcould eventuallybe "forced" toadd more lunch periods, which would "result in some students eating lunch earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon," the release said.
Lunch periods at the high school are 30 minutes long. The earliest begins shortly before 11:40 a.m. and the latest begins at 12:55 p.m.
Twenty-two teachers at the school do not have classrooms and must "move from room to room while carrying their possessions on a cart," the release said.
In the meantime, Sussex Central High School, Selbyville Middle School and North Georgetown Elementary School can expect "portable classrooms," which resemble double-wide trailers, on their campuses next year.
Officials say the units, meant to hold classes,will help alleviate cramming inschool buildings.Indian River High Schoolcould need the units by 2023, Steele said.
Indian River officialswarn that the units could be a security hazard for students. The district would still have had to add some "portable classrooms" ifvoters approvethe referendum. Butit would nothave had to rent as manyor keep them as long, officials say.
The new high school would cost $140.84million. The additions to Indian River High School and Selbyville Middle School would cost $14.29million and $3.38million, respectively.The district would incur 40 percent of the projectcosts, while theother 60 percent would be funded by the state.
Unlike February'sfailed referendum, this onewould not askresidents to pay for subsequent expenses that come with the added space, such as staff. The district now hopes it can come up with the latter funds on its own.
The removal of the proposed 9-cent property tax rate increase from the failed referendum will save taxpayers $18.59 per year, the release said.
More:Indian River High School threat rumors under investigation: Officials
More:After failed tax increase, what's next for Indian River School District?
Should voters approve the measure this time around, Steele hopes to finish constructioninfour years. He said he plans to put away about $300,000 per yearduring that time to cover the tentativeinfrastructure'soperational expensesthat would not be covered bythe tax increase.
To do it, the district will likely maintain currentbudget cuts and possibly add new ones. Officials have yet to decide which programs or expenses to further cut.School officials plan tostart working on next fiscal year's budget in April.
The district also plans torelocateMillsboro Middle School to the existing Sussex Central High School building, andconvertthe existing Millsboro Middle School into an additional elementary school. Those plans will not require a property tax increase, according to the release.
The district would also redraw attendance areas in Georgetown, Millsboro and Long Neckto alleviate overcrowding, according to the release.
Voting will be from 7a.m. until 8p.m. District residents can cast their vote at the following locations:East Millsboro Elementary School, Georgetown Elementary School, Indian River High School, Long Neck Elementary School, Lord Baltimore Elementary School and Selbyville Middle School.
Absentee ballots are available by mail until 12 p.m. on May 3 and in person until 12 p.m. on May 6, according to the release.Affidavits are available at all district schools, the release said..
More information is available through the school district's "referendum hotline" at 302-436-1079.Residents can also learn more at https://www.irsd.net/referendum.
More:Millsboro wants new Indian River bridge to address population growth, traffic
More:Bethany Beach looks for solutions to wetland erosion along Loop Canal
Keeping it local: With a Delmarva Now subscription, you get in-depth coverage and unlimited access to the local news that matters most to you. CLICK HERE for a special offer for new subscribers.
