Sussex Co. residents voting on IRSD capital improvement plan

SELBYVILLE, Del. – Sussex County voters are heading back to polling places for a second crack at the Indian River School District referendum.

This time around voters will only look at the capital improvement plan that’s expected to cost $63 million.

“I can’t think of anything that is more worthy of an investment than our kids,” says voter Rich Kapolka.

That’s the mindset of many who got out to vote Tuesday for Indian River School District’s major capital improvement referendum.

Local voter Justina Ferber adds, “I think it’s a great thing. It’s for our kids and I really think everyone should vote for it.”

But not everyone who cast their ballot felt the same way. Others we spoke to say they aren’t for the plan because if this referendum passes, property taxes go up.

Which is true but Superintendent Mark Steele says it’s a hike that gets phased in and out over several years.

IRSD Supt. Mark Steele explains, “It will start off about $2 to $4 the first year and then the second and third year, which are the two bigger years, it will increase. Then it’s going to go up $68 in year four.”

It’s a tax hike that no one we spoke to says they hope for, but one that the district believes is necessary since it’s going directly towards fixing the major overcrowding they’re facing right now and will continue to face in the future.

“They’re voting on adding a new Sussex Central high school, eight classrooms at Indian River, four classrooms at Selbyville Middle.”

So if passed it will create much needed space for the students, but of course it’s space that comes at a price that some believe is doable.

Local voter Karen Smiley believes, “People can afford that to me that’s a dinner out maybe one night or two, so you can give that up to pay for your children.”

Kapolka adds, “We have one of the lowest tax rates and they do a super job with kids and I think it’s worth it even if we have to tighten our belts a little bit more I think it’s really worth supporting kids.”

Polls are open until 8 p.m. Tuesday night then IRSD will tally up the votes.