FAQ

Frequently-Asked Questions

When is the referendum?

Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

What are district residents being asked to approve?

The district is seeking a property tax increase to fund: 

•    Increased operating costs
•    Competitive salary package for staff

IRSD has not passed a current expense referendum since 2017.

Wasn’t there a referendum in 2020?

The district passed a major capital improvement referendum in February 2020 to fund the construction of the new Sussex Central High School, which is scheduled to open in September 2025. No additional local funding over and above what was approved in the referendum was used to complete the project. The June 5, 2025 measure is the first current expense referendum to raise funds for operating costs since 2017.

Why is the referendum needed?

In the past three fiscal years, district operating expenses have increased an average of 7.4% per year while revenue has increased by only 3.55%.

Since the last current expense referendum in 2017, the largest escalations in operating expenses have occurred in utility costs, student transportation, substitute costs, mental health service units, and required charter and choice school payments. 

The district’s annual budget deficits since Fiscal Year 2023 have ranged from $4.2M to $7.3M. Without the passage of the referendum, further shortfalls are projected in FY26 and beyond. 

The district must also offer a competitive salary package that will continue to attract talented educational professionals and maintain the quality programs and services being offered to students. 

What has the district done to save money?

The district has taken the following measures in recent years to conserve local funds:

• Reduced district office staff by 19.4%
• Reduced most discretionary budgets for schools, departments and athletics by 10%
• Reduced Extra Pay for Extra Responsibility (EPER) pay scales for athletic and non-athletic positions 
• Adjusted hourly pay rates for homebound, tutoring and other services
• Reevaluating after-school transportation services
• Reduced staff positions at each school by an average of 10% (temporary and regular positions)
  • 77.25 positions governed by teacher CBA
  • 55 paraprofessionals
• Examined efficiency in workforce and consolidated positions when possible
• Redirected workforce through attrition
• Some in-house student transportation services
• Partnered with Seiberlich Trane on investment grade energy audit in 2017 and began 20-year bond project to implement energy-saving measures at all schools
• Used federal E-rate funding for wireless technology purchases such as routers, access points, switches and wiring
• Explored less-expensive alternatives for technology equipment and services (Zoom to Teams)

Is safety and security a part of current expense?

Yes. However, we received funding from previous referenda for safety and security measures. The state has also provided funding for safety and security.

How will property reassessment in Sussex County affect the referendum?

It won’t. Property reassessment must be "revenue neutral" for school districts, meaning tax rates will have to be adjusted downward so that school districts collect the same amount of revenue as they did prior to reassessment. When adjusted to account for reassessed property values, the district’s overall tax rate will drop from $3.234 to approximately $0.1576 per $100 of assessed value. With referendum approval, the tax rate would be an estimated $0.2135 per $100 of assessed value.

For more information on reassessment, click HERE. 

IRSD has created a Referendum Increase Calculator, which provides the estimated range of property tax for the 2025 tax year based on information provided by Sussex County’s property reassessment website. The range includes the tax rates for Indian River School District, Sussex Technical High School and Sussex County, which are part of your annual property tax bill. This calculator also includes the calculated referendum increase and the total estimated range of your tax bill with the passage of the referendum. Simply enter your Assessed Home Value and click “Calculate.” 
To access the calculator, CLICK HERE.

If the referendum is successful, the Board of Education has voted not to collect up to 10% in additional local revenue as permitted by state law during years of reassessment.

What is the tax increase and how much revenue will it generate?

The district is proposing a tax increase of $0.0559 per $100 of assessed property value. This will generate an additional $22,515,776 in operating revenue. 

How much will the tax increase be for district taxpayers?

For the average district taxpayer, the tax increase will be $268.88 per year. This translates to $22.40 per month, $5.17 per week and 74 cents per day. (Figures may vary based upon new and previous assessed property values.)

What will happen if the referendum does not pass?

• Deficit spending will continue as operating expenses outpace district revenue streams
• District will have to consider difficult program cuts: 
  • Academic programs
  • Extra-curricular activities 
  • Athletics (middle and high school) 
• District may not be able to fill additional instructional positions to which its entitled through annual unit count 
• Student services may be adversely impacted due to lack of personnel
• IRSD will not have the competitive salary package to continue to attract talented instructional professionals and retain those currently on staff  
• In midst of national teacher shortage, IRSD may not be able to compete with surrounding school districts for the same applicants

Where and when can I vote?

Voting on Thursday, June 5 is from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. District residents who are U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age are eligible to vote at any of the following local polling places:

• East Millsboro Elementary School
• Georgetown Elementary School
• Indian River High School
• Long Neck Methodist Church (New polling place as determined by Delaware Department of Elections)
• Lord Baltimore Elementary School
• Millville Community Center
• Selbyville Fire Hall (New polling place as determined by Delaware Department of Elections)
• Sussex Central High School

Who is eligible to vote?

Indian River School District residents who are U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age are eligible to vote in the referendum. Voter registration is not required, but residents must provide proof of identification or residency at each polling place. Residents do not have to own their home to be eligible to vote and residents may vote at any of the eight polling places.

To vote in the referendum, your home in the Indian River School District must be your primary residence.

Request for Absentee Ballot forms are available at all district schools. Absentee ballots may be requested via U.S. Mail until noon on Friday, May 30. In-person absentee voting is available at the Department of Elections Sussex County Office until noon on Wednesday, June 4. For more information, contact the Department of Elections Sussex County Office at (302) 856-5367 or via email to: absenteesc@delaware.gov