MILLSBORO, DE -- On Wednesday, May 14th at 7 pm, the Indian River School District is set the host the first of three public meetings ahead of the district's second budget referendum this year. The second referendum is set to be held on June 5th.
This secondary referendum comes roughly 3 months after a similar referendum in the district failed to pass. The previous vote reportedly came in at 4,749 in favor and 5,424 against it.
According to district officials, the referendum looks to raise roughly $22.5 million in funding that would go towards rising operating costs. Officials said that number would average out to roughly $268.88 per taxpayer per year.
“This is an extremely important referendum for the future of the Indian River School District,” District Superintendent Dr. Jay Owens said in a statement on the district's website. "Without additional local revenue, we will face difficult staffing decisions and potential impacts to our academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs. Our operating expenses are increasing at a rate that is simply not sustainable if we are to continue to provide quality educational services to our students."
District leaders said they have not passed a tax increase referendum since 2017. Since fiscal year 2023, yearly budget shortfalls have ranged from $4.2 million to $7.3 million, according to district officials.
WBOC spoke with voters in Millsboro about their thoughts on Wednesday. Richard Straus said he plans to vote yes in June.
"The schools all need more money, and if we don't support the schools, then we aren't supporting our kids," Straus said. "My kids are all grown up, but I believe we've got to support education, we've got to support the teachers, and we've got to support the schools."
Straus said he's also voting yes to support local teachers.
"I'd like to see teachers get paid a fair, reasonable salary because they certainly put themselves out there for our kids," Straus said.
Other voters told WBOC they think the potential tax raise might hurt some neighbors.
"It's just bad timing with this, with everything going on," Cindy Stevenson said. "We've had raises in just about everything. In taxes, property taxes, you name it. We're just being hit by everything."
Stevenson said she hopes the district can find the needed funding without relying on taxpayers.
"Everybody always turns to us," Stevenson said. "It would be nice if they turned to developers or some, some other way to fund this."
Wednesday night's meeting is set to be held at the Millsboro Middle School at 7 pm. Those interested in learning more about the referendum or about other upcoming meetings can visit the district's webpage for more information.