Construction & Renovations

Our Two New High Schools

The passage of a major capital improvement referendum on May 23, 2000 allowed the Indian River School District to build two new high schools and renovate 10 existing school buildings.

Construction of the new Indian River and Sussex Central high schools was completed in 2004-2005. The new Sussex Central High School opened on September 7, 2004 while the new Indian River High School opened on September 6, 2005.

The new Indian River High School has a 1,000-student capacity and was built on two parcels totaling 156.92 acres. The property is located between Route 20 and Clayton Avenue in Dagsboro. The new Sussex Central High School has a 1,500-student capacity and was built on 158.6 acres across from the Stockley Center in Millsboro.

Dedication ceremonies were held on September 29, 2005 at Sussex Central and on October 5, 2005 at Indian River.

District Referenda

During construction, district residents approved two additional referenda that helped fund the building and operation of the new schools. On March 18, 2003, residents approved the utilization of $2.5 million in surplus debt service funds for the construction of athletic fields at the new schools and other construction-related expenses. On March 30, 2004, residents approved a current expense initiative to fund increased operating and utility costs associated with renovations and new construction.

Renovation projects throughout the district are expected to continue through 2010.

Buildings receiving renovations

Buildings receiving renovations as a result of the successful bond issues were Phillip C. Showell Elementary School, Georgetown Elementary School, Richard Allen School, Frankford Elementary School, East Millsboro Elementary School, Millsboro Middle School, Georgetown Middle School, Lord Baltimore Elementary School and Southern Delaware School of the Arts/Indian River Educational Complex.

Type of Improvements

Renovations approved through the bond issues include air conditioning; HVAC upgrades; roof repairs; plumbing and electrical upgrades; health, safety and accessibility improvements; the installation of additional electrical outlets; fire alarm system improvements and site upgrades. The buildings are being brought into ADA, fire and building code compliance, and will no longer be required to use outdoor portable classrooms because of space limitations.

Building Specifics

Improvements at Lord Baltimore Elementary included additional classroom space, an expanded kitchen and cafeteria, the full enclosure of the building, the construction of a new office and services area, the installation of an elevator and the completion of other ADA modifications. The kitchen and cafeteria were located to a newly-constructed portion of the building. The computer room, library, art rooms and music rooms were relocated to the first floor of the main building. The entire building is also air conditioned. The renovated building was dedicated on October 19, 2006.

The old Sussex Central High School building in Georgetown was renovated and renamed Georgetown Middle School. In September 2006, Sussex Central Middle School was relocated to the refurbished building while its Millsboro facility underwent renovations during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years.

Renovations to the Sussex Central Middle School building in Millsboro began in June 2006 and were completed in late-2007.

In September 2008, Sussex Central Middle School was divided into two schools. The Georgetown Middle School building houses only Georgetown-area students, while Millsboro-area students returned to the renovated Sussex Central Middle School building, which has been renamed Millsboro Middle School. Each school houses about 550 students.

Asbestos abatement

Asbestos abatement was performed at East Millsboro Elementary School in 2005. Additional renovations began in the spring of 2006 and were completed in November 2006. These renovations included the installation of air conditioning.

Using the Clayton Building

The Southern Delaware School of the Arts/Indian River Educational Complex renovations began in June 2007 and were completed in August 2008. SDSA and the district administrative offices temporarily relocated to the John M. Clayton Building (old Indian River High School) in Frankford while work was being completed. They returned to Selbyville in August 2008 and the renovated building was dedicated on November 13, 2008.

Phillip C. Showell Elementary received a second round of renovations in 2008-2009 and temporarily relocated to the John M. Clayton Building for the entire school year. The school returned to its renovated Selbyville facility in June 2009. 

After years of serving as a “staging area” for district schools undergoing renovations, the John M. Clayton building is slated to become the permanent home of Frankford Elementary School in September 2010. Renovations at the building began in the spring of 2009 and should be complete by August 2010.

Roof Replacements

The school district also replaced the roofs at three schools - Selbyville Middle School, Long Neck Elementary and North Georgetown Elementary. Funding for these projects was approved by district voters in a successful major capital improvement and current expense referendum on March 28, 2006.