By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — Shortages, shipping delays and rising costs for construction materials are impacting two major construction projects in the Indian River School District.

The district’s new Sussex Central High School — a projected $146.1 million project as approved in a February 2020 referendum — faces a funding deficit in today’s economic climate.

IRSD also has learned that a delay in roofing insulation has pushed the targeted move-in time frame for the new Howard T. Ennis School from May 2022 to August. The $45 million Ennis School campus is being built on property across from the current SCHS on Patriots Way.

While Ennis School construction has progressed through the framing phase, the Sussex Central High School project is a ways off.

While more discussion and design work on plans for the SCHS project remains, the first bidding phase is expected in early 2022.

“We hope to be out in the spring next year with a bid packet on site work. Definitely, we would like to get the site work out in the spring,” said Joe Booth, IRSD’s supervisor of building and grounds.

And there are financial hurdles to clear. Market pressure funding from the state may be available.

“How many millions of dollars are we short at this particular point to complete what we had told the public we were going to be doing?” IRSD board of education member Dr. Donald Hattier asked at the Oct. 25 board session.

“In terms of the academic element, the internal academic, I believe we are $12 million to $15 million short,” said IRSD Superintendent Dr. Jay Owens.

Factoring in exterior options such as athletic fields for both high school and middle school students relocating from Millsboro Middle School into the former high school building, ups the shortage to around $20 million, Dr. Owens said.

Delaware’s Department of Education included market pressure contingency in its capital budget request that will be presented later this month, according to DOE spokeswoman Alison May.

The budget hearing is set for 1:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 and is accessible at: Publicmeetings.delaware.gov/#/meeting/70147).

“Our request will not be district specific, however,” said Ms. May. “This is a request and has to go through the full budget process. There is currently no guarantee of funding.”

Approved overwhelmingly, the major capital referendum was geared to alleviate overcrowding in the northern end of the district through construction of a 2,200-student capacity high school coupled with plans to renovate and repurpose two existing school buildings. Under the plan, Millsboro Middle School will relocate into the existing 1,500-student Sussex Central High School building, which will allow for conversion of the existing Millsboro Middle School into an additional elementary school.

“Our other challenge is the market that we are currently in. Our hope is that on bid day we have successful bids and/or the state supports us through some market pressure funding,” said Dr. Owens.

Dr. Hattier noted that some current athletic fields are being utilized for the construction of the high school that will accommodate 2,200 students.

“Aren’t those replacement fields for ones that are going to be lost in the construction? So that’s not really a new item then. That is simply keeping what we have and replacing it,” Dr. Hattier.

A series of alternates, first and foremost a science wing, are included in SCHS design phase but will not be included if they would result in the project going over budget.

“Our focus has been on the academic element of Sussex Central High School, including all the departments that have been considered and given input,” said Dr. Owens.

“There are alternates on there that were not included in the referendum, correct,” said IRSD school board vice president Leolga Wright.

“Unfortunately, things like the science wing, portions of the renovations are listed as alternates,” Dr. Owens said. “As discussed last month, some of those options are unable to make it into the base project. We do have an obligation as we discussed to ensure that the project comes in under bid.”

Additionally, Dr. Owens said it is important to note that no alternate options move forward without board of education approval.

Dr. Hattier said his understanding is that Indian River isn’t the only district facing financial hurdles with major capital projects.

“I know attending the (recent) legislative meeting ... with the state, we’re not the only district in this boat,” said Dr. Hattier.

Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, is hopeful IRSD’s financial situation will be addressed by the state, noting DOE Sec. Dr. Susan Bunting’s many years of service within the IRSD.

“I feel very certain that Dr. Bunting is quite familiar with the situation in the Indian River district,” said Rep. Briggs King. “I am quite confident that she will be making sure that there is equity there for us down here and for the needs that are down here.”

The new SCHS is supported through a 60/40 ratio — $87,656,300 in state money and a local share of $58,437,700.

“We need to deliver what we told the public we said we were going to deliver at the time,” Dr. Hattier said. “We need to get the state to cough up the difference for us.”

Ennis timeline altered

The new Howard T. Ennis School, totally funded by the state, has been taking shape with steel framework completed in October.

Now, the district has learned a delay in roofing material has resulted in three-month setback, to August 2022.

“A major holdup in roof insulation materials will delay substantial completion date. Right now, we are looking at the end of August, which is a concern,” said Dr. Owens. “Obviously, we were looking to move into a school. So, the holdup with the insulation with the roofing does push us back.”

Dr. Owens noted that roofing materials come from Owens Corning in Texas, and production has been delayed by storms and the coronavirus pandemic.

“If we continue with this delay to August, the team and the board will need to make some decisions on when we want to move in,” said Dr. Owens.

“So, we’ve gone from early May to late May, but because of this now we are looking at August,” said IRSD board president Rodney Layfield.