Indian River referendum passes by almost 2,000 votes

Exactly 100 days after the Indian River School District failed to pass a tax referendum by 30 votes, Thursday's decision left no room for squabbling.

The $7.35 million referendum passed by a margin of 7,095 to 5,394 after months of passionate arguments on whether the taxes should be raised.

"This vote is astronomical," Indian River Interim Superintendent Mark Steele said. "It passed by over 1,700 votes, 1,701 votes to be exact, and that is incredible. I can just say I am so grateful for the public support."

The referendum came as a result of unprecedented growth within the district, Steele said.

According to district statistics, the IRSD has grown 22.4 percent over the past 10 years, and is projected to be at 10,467 students by the year 2026.

With the passage of the referendum, the tax rate will be increased 49 cents per $100 of assessed property value, bringing the rate up to $3.068 per $100 of assessed property value.

This would raise the property tax by $95.41 for the average taxpayer, with roughly 67 percent going to help with increases in student population, generating $7.35 million for the district.

BACKGROUND: Contentious $7.2M IR schools vote nears

Thirty-three cents will be going toward dealing with growth, 8 cents will be going toward student safety increases and 8 cents will be going toward student services, such as textbooks, technology and student clubs and organizations.

This is the last time the Indian River School District could have passed the referendum this fiscal year. Delaware law states school districts may only go to referendum twice in an academic year.

Had the referendum not passed, Steele said 10 percent of the district’s staff would have been cut.

"We saved between 150 and 200 jobs tonight," he said.

Steele said more people came out to the polls than expected.

He said he was expecting around 8,000 people to come out to the polls.

"The vote totals 12,489," he said. "I think that was the highest vote total we have ever had."

At Lord Baltimore Elementary School, one of the polling locations, they had to switch to paper ballots because the voting machines were full, district Public Information Officer Dave Maull said.

Regardless of the passing of the referendum, Steele said the district will reduce spending in the future.

The district is also anticipating cuts to come from Delaware, which could be between 1.25 percent and 10 percent, Steele added.

"I have said all along, even if this passes, we are going to have to lean our budget," Steele said. "And we are going to work on that, and we will get our budget in line to where it needs to be. We will create the most transparent school district of anybody in the state."

The referendum has been a contentious issue for those residing in the Indian River School District, with those for and against the referendum vocal in both the community, such as at Indian River School District Board of Education meetings, and on social media platforms like Facebook.

BACKGROUND: Indian River referendum fails in razor-close vote

At an Indian River Board of Education meeting on Feb. 27, Bill Fox spoke during the public comment section.

He said he was concerned with the direction the district is going.

“The referendum is needed money, but it is still not enough money,” he said. “And until you handle the evils and ills that have gone on, nothing will change no matter how much money we throw at it.”

Fox said Steele has taken the appropriate actions since the audit, but he was still concerned.

Fox added he was still skeptical of the district’s financial practices despite a letter sent by the Delaware Auditor of Accounts on Feb. 27, praising the district’s moves since an audit released in November 2016 showed financial malpractice by former district chief financial officer Patrick Miller.

“The auditor doesn’t give the full blessing,” Fox said. “Only time will tell.”

BACKGROUND: After audit, IRSD promises better financial practices

However, there were those who more confident in the direction the district is heading.

Megan Browne, from Ocean View, said she moved to the Indian River School District from Maryland to specifically be in the Indian River School District.

On election day, she stood outside her car, with windows covered with messages to urge people to vote for the referendum, at Indian River High School.

“In Maryland, we paid twice the property tax, and the schools were nothing like the schools are here,” she said, “We have a special needs child, and he was receiving very few services before we moved here. Here, the staff have been phenomenal.”

However, there were still those who were displeased with the district.

Many people were concerned about the need for the district to go to referendum again in the future to build more buildings. They also were concerned about the increase in taxes, and others still did not trust the district.

Jackie Slonin spoke out at the Indian River Board of Education meeting on Feb. 27 about how many in the public still do not trust the district.

She said, prior to the second referendum, she did not see the district make attempts to change some of its internal issues.

She added the changes she did see have been “lackluster.”

“In order to do what is best, changes need to happen,” she said. “There is a common denominators among us all, and that is the lack of trust within the district, which is rightfully earned. Change needs to be seen.”

Despite Slonin’s concerns, it was clear the district's effort over the previous 100 days was enough to get approval for an increase in taxes.

Courtney Burkle, of Millville, stood outside Lord Baltimore Elementary School and urged people to vote for the referendum Thursday.

She said the district is in a crisis right now because of the large class sizes.

For her, safety is a top priority, and she said she is happy with the way the district has handled safety, and is encouraged about the money the tax increase would give to safety.

“Our students and our teachers need this,” she said. “Our classrooms are growing, and we cannot afford to have 30 to 40 kids in a classroom.”

rghughes@dmg.gannett.com

On Twitter @hughesg19