Indian River School District will try again for a $7.4 million tax referendum March 2nd.
The district’s November referendum failed by only 30 votes. Less than a week before the vote, an audit showed a district official mishandled taxpayer money.
Its second try in March comes in response to increased enrollment, with nearly 300 more students enrolled this year than last year.
District officials says they’ve had steady enrollment growth since 2010 – meaning they need more staff and resources.
Indian River is proposing a tax increase of 49 cents per $100 of assessed property value – which will add a little over $95 to the average district taxpayer’s annual bill.
If the referendum isn’t approved by voters – officials say they could lay off more than 100 staff members, make cuts to school safety and more.
Indian River School District residents last approved a referendum in 2013.
