Frequently Asked Questions
Indian River School District
Major Capital Improvement Referendum
February 13, 2020
Weather date: February 20, 2020
What are district residents being asked to approve?
The referendum will seek funding for the construction of a new Sussex Central High School north of Millsboro.
How much will the project cost?
The district’s 40-percent local share of the construction project will be $58,437,700. The remaining 60 percent ($87,656,300) will be funded by the State of Delaware.
Why is this project needed?
Additional classroom space is needed to address a large increase in the district’s total enrollment during the past eight years. IRSD’s current enrollment is 10,942 students in Grades PreK-12. This represents an increase of 2,071 students since 2011. This increase has put a strain on classroom space at several school buildings. In addition, enrollment growth is projected to continue during the next five years and reach 12,137 students by 2024.
Several school buildings are already over capacity. Sussex Central is currently at 122 percent capacity and is expected to be at 128 percent capacity in 2020-2021. Without referendum approval, Sussex Central High School is expected to be at 131 percent capacity by 2024.
East Millsboro Elementary School is at 104 percent capacity and is expected to be at 113 percent by 2024. North Georgetown Elementary School is at 102 percent capacity and will likely be at 104 percent next year. By 2024, North Georgetown is projected to be at 116 percent capacity. Georgetown Elementary School is expected to reach 100 percent capacity next year and be at 124 percent by 2024.
The overcrowding problem is especially severe at Sussex Central High School, where more than 1,800 students are currently housed in a building designed for 1,500. By 2024, the school’s enrollment will be approximately 1,950. In addition to a lack of classroom space, common areas such as the cafeteria, auditorium and hallways are no longer large enough to accommodate the student population. The school could eventually be forced to add more lunch periods, which will result in some students eating lunch earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. Currently, 22 teachers at the facility do not have classrooms and must move from room to room while carrying their belongings on a cart.
What other efforts are being made to relieve overcrowding?
With referendum approval, the district will undertake a series of additional capital improvement projects that will relieve overcrowding and not require a property tax increase. The existing Sussex Central High School building will be converted into a middle school, with Millsboro Middle School relocating to the renovated facility. The existing Millsboro Middle School building will be converted into an additional elementary school. Attendance areas in Georgetown, Millsboro and Long Neck will also be redrawn to alleviate overcrowding. These projects will be funded using minor capital improvement funds. Therefore, a property tax increase will not be necessary to complete the renovations and relocations.
In addition, the district has restructured kindergarten services in the Georgetown area. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, North Georgetown Elementary School kindergarten students who were previously served by the Georgetown Kindergarten Center returned to North Georgetown Elementary. This move freed up classroom space for Georgetown Middle School, which is projected to have a large increase in enrollment during the next two years. Georgetown Middle School, Georgetown Elementary School and the Georgetown Kindergarten Center were previously housed in the same complex on Market Street. The restructuring resulted in the closing of the Georgetown Kindergarten Center and allowed both Georgetown Elementary and North Georgetown Elementary to become K-5 schools.
Why is this the best plan?
The major capital improvement proposal will alleviate overcrowding across the district through the construction of only one new school instead of several. In addition to the construction of a new Sussex Central High School, the district plans to renovate and repurpose two existing school buildings. This will allow Millsboro Middle School to move into the existing Sussex Central High School building and allow the existing Millsboro Middle School to be converted into an elementary school. The proposed new high school will be built on land that is already owned by the school district, creating additional savings to taxpayers.
In addition, older 20-year construction bonds in the district are nearing retirement, resulting in reductions to the debt service portion of the tax rate. These reductions will partially offset any tax rate increases for the new Sussex Central High School construction, thereby providing the best possible value to taxpayers.
Will there be a current expense question?
No. Residents are not being asked to approve a current expense tax increase for operating costs.
How much will property taxes increase?
The maximum property tax increase needed to fund the district’s 40-percent local share ($58,437,700) of the Sussex Central High School construction project is 28 cents per $100 of assessed value. However, market factors such as the interest rate on bonds could reduce this amount to about 22 cents. This equates to a tax increase of between $49 and $64 for the average district property owner. (Based on average district property assessment of $22,751.)
This increase will be phased in over a three-year period and not reach the maximum until Fiscal Year 2023. After FY23, the debt service rate will decrease every year until construction bonds are retired. The remaining 60 percent ($87,656,300) of the project cost will be funded by the State of Delaware.
A tax calculator is available at irsd.net/referendum to assist residents in figuring their tax increase. For information about your tax assessment, visit sussexcountyde.gov and click on “Tax Information” at the bottom right. Residents can also contact the Referendum Hotline at (302) 436-1079.
How does Indian River’s property tax rate compare to other Sussex County school districts?
Indian River currently has the lowest school property tax rate in Sussex County. (See chart below.)
District Tax Rate (per $100 assessed value)
Milford $4.8913
Woodbridge $4.556
Laurel $4.417
Delmar $4.2017
Cape Henlopen $3.9921
Seaford $3.934
Indian River $3.035
With referendum approval, Indian River will still likely have the lowest property tax rate in the county.
What will happen if the referendum is not approved?
Overcrowding will continue and likely worsen, leading to larger class sizes. The district has had to utilize outdoor portable classrooms to relieve overcrowding beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. Sussex Central High School is currently utilizing 10 portable classrooms and North Georgetown Elementary School two portable classrooms. Local funds must be used to lease the classrooms, which are costly and could create safety and security concerns due to their placement outside of the main school building.
Furthermore, the district will likely be forced to redraw attendance boundaries to shift more students into the southern end of the district. As a result, some students who currently attend schools in the district’s northern end will reside in new feeder patterns that will require them to attend schools in the south. In essence, some students who presently live in the Sussex Central High School attendance area may be shifted south into the Indian River High School feeder pattern.
How does this referendum impact the entire district?
If the referendum fails and the district is forced to continue adding portable classrooms at its overcrowded schools, the annual cost of the portables will deplete the district’s operating reserves. The district will then have to host a current expense referendum to replenish its operating funds. If that referendum does not pass, all schools in the district will experience significant cuts to staffing, services and instructional supplies. In addition, redistricting will shift more students into the southern end of the district and push schools in the south closer to their capacities. Indian River High School could also be designated as a Division I school for Delaware interscholastic athletics.
Are senior citizens eligible for a property tax discount?
Yes. Property tax assistance for senior citizens and disabled residents is available through Sussex County and the State of Delaware. For information, contact the Sussex County Exemption Coordinator at (302) 855-7762 or visit www.sussexcountyde.gov/tax-assistance-programs.
How can I get more information about the referendum?
Anyone with questions about the referendum is encouraged to call the district’s Referendum Hotline at (302) 436-1079. Residents can also visit our special referendum webpage at irsd.net/referendum.
Voter questions
Where and when do I vote?
Date: February 13, 2020
Time: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Polling Places:
East Millsboro Elementary School
Georgetown Elementary School
Indian River High School
Long Neck Elementary School
Lord Baltimore Elementary School
Selbyville Middle School
In the event of inclement weather, the referendum will be held on February 20, 2020.
Are there times I should avoid polling places on the day of the referendum?
Because school will be in session during the referendum on Thursday, February 13, traffic near the polling places may be heavy when students are dropped off in the morning and dismissed in the afternoon. To avoid this congestion, it is recommended that voters avoid polling places during the times listed below.
East Millsboro Elementary School 7:15-7:45 a.m. and 1:30-3:00 p.m.
(Please park in lot closest to playground)
Georgetown Elementary School 7:30-8:45 a.m. and 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Indian River High School 7:15-7:45 a.m. and 2:30-3:00 p.m.
Long Neck Elementary School 8:00-9:00 a.m. and 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Lord Baltimore Elementary School 8:00-8:30 a.m. and 3:00-3:50 p.m.
Selbyville Middle School 7:00-7:40 a.m. and 2:25-2:50 p.m.
Who is eligible to vote?
All residents of the Indian River School District who are U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Residents DO NOT have to be property owners to be eligible to vote.
Do I need to be a registered voter?
No. However, you must reside within the boundaries of the Indian River School District, be at least 18 years of age, be a U.S. citizen and provide identification at the polling place. By state law, you DO NOT have to be a property owner to be eligible to vote.
What do I need to bring with me in order to vote?
Proof of identification or residency. Acceptable proofs of identity, name and address include, but are not limited to, State of Delaware driver’s license; State of Delaware automobile registration card; State of Delaware ID card; work ID with photo and address; credit card with photograph and signature; document identifying person by photograph or signature; recent utility bill, rent receipt, business letter setting forth the person’s address or telephone directory listing in the current issue of the phone book; or any other reasonable document that identifies the person’s address.
How do I get an absentee ballot?
Residents must complete an affidavit requesting an absentee ballot and return it to the Sussex County Department of Elections at 119 North Race Street in Georgetown. Affidavits are available at all district schools and from the Department of Elections. The affidavit is also available at irsd.net/referendum. Absentee ballots are available by mail until noon on February 10 and in person until noon on February 12. For more information, contact the Department of Elections at (302) 856-5367.