Indian River School District tackles overcrowding

More families moving in equals more children attending area schools, which spells a problem for the Indian River School District. Overcrowding.

"We are looking into present day to 2024-2025, and it looks like we are going to exceed 12, 000 students in our district," says Mark Steele, the Indian River School District Superintendent.

Some of the schools are already over capacity or close to reaching their limit, which is why the district is discussing ways to address overcrowding.

"What we have to be able to do is find what's the best value for our buck," says Steele.

Officials are in the early stages and are weighing out their options. They say a referendum could be possible.

One of their options includes a new elementary, a new middle school, and renovations for Sussex Central High School. A project that can cost a total of $172.8 million; $103.6 million would come from the state, and $69.1 million would be raised locally

"We are looking at this sort of like a calculus problem, we could obviously go out and build a whole new schools and capacity issues are solved. But that's not good for the taxpayers," says Steele. 

In order for a referendum to be considered the district has to go through a series of steps.

Once Indian River decides on a final expansion plan they will have to get approval from the state.
Officials have to turn in a Certificate of Necessities by August 31st. The school district would hear back by this fall if they're approved.

"There is a lot of historical data that you put in but you also have to show why you're asking for that school and provide projection numbers out into the future," says Steele.

If the referendum passes it would the second in the past two years.