School district referendum set for Feb. 9

The Indian River School District is asking district taxpayers to vote “for” a funding transfer in a referendum set for Feb. 9.

According to district staff, IRSD currently has $706,094 in surplus funding from the recently-completed roof replacement projects at Long Neck Elementary, North Georgetown Elementary and Selbyville Middle schools. Those projects were approved by district voters in a 2006 referendum and were completed for less than the anticipated budget, leaving a surplus in the accounts.

“In order to use these funds for other projects, the district must seek voter approval to amend the original Certificates of Necessity to include the classroom and building expansion projects. Approval must also be sought to transfer $137,000 from the Long Neck roof account to the North Georgetown and Selbyville accounts,” staff note on the district’s Web site.

Voting “for” the referendum would authorize the district to amend the Certificates of Necessity and would authorize the transfer of $100,000 to North Georgetown for the construction of a two-classroom addition and $37,000 to Selbyville Middle for a building expansion.

When added to existing account balances, the funding transfer would increase the roof replacement accounts to $417,695 at North Georgetown and $283,386 at Selbyville. District officials stated that they may also need an additional $40,000 to $50,000 to complete the projects.

“If needed, these would be discretionary funds allocated from the district’s construction contingency allotment and budgetary process,” they noted.

The funding transfer will have no affect on property taxes. District officials said the Indian River School District tax per $100 of assessed property value will stay at $2.55, lower than that of the Milford, Woodbridge, Seaford, Delmar and Cape Henlopen school districts.

“This referendum presents us with the unique opportunity to perform much-needed capital improvements to our buildings without raising property taxes,” IRSD Superintendent Susan Bunting said. “It’s important that we use these surplus funds for projects that will improve the learning environment for our students. We hope our caring residents will give their support to this worthwhile initiative.”

If the funding transfer is not approved, the state will reclaim $423,656, or 60 percent, of the unused construction balance. The remaining 40 percent, or $282,437, would be used to reduce the district’s property tax rate by an average of 3 cents, to $6.31 per taxpayer for one year, or retire existing debt.

District staff argued that the tax reduction or debt retirement is one of three reasons for needing the transfer, the others being logistical: overcrowding at North Georgetown Elementary and lack of storage space at Selbyville Middle.

District residents who are at least 18 are eligible to vote. Voter registration is not required, but proof of identity is. Absentee ballots will be available in person until noon on Feb. 8. Affidavits are available at all district schools. For more information, contact the Department of Elections at (302) 856-5367.

Residents can vote at any of the district polling place on Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They include Georgetown Elementary School, Millsboro Middle School, Long Neck Elementary School, Indian River High School in Dagsboro, Selbyville Middle School and Lord Baltimore School in Ocean View.

For more information, visit www.irsd.net or call the referendum hotline at (302) 436-1079.