LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Get out and vote on Indian River referendum

Residents in the Indian River School District will be asked to vote on a school referendum on Thursday, March 2, that would raise school property taxes by 49 cents on every $100 of assessed value. According to the district, the referendum would raise $7.35 million in local revenue to be used for operating expenses, including hiring more teachers to address student enrollment growth and for school safety programs. If approved, the district states that the average district taxpayer would see an increase of $95.41 to his/her local property tax bill. If you live in the Indian River District, I strongly encourage you to cast a vote in this referendum. To be eligible, you must reside within the boundaries of the Indian River School District, be a U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years of age, and provide identification at the polling place. Residents do not have to be property owners to be able to vote. You can go to any one of the following polling places: East Millsboro Elementary, Georgetown Elementary, Indian River High School, Long Neck Elementary, Lord Baltimore Elementary and Selbyville Middle School. For those who will be out of town that day or are physically unable to make it to the polls, you can submit an absentee ballot. To obtain an absentee ballot, please contact the Sussex County Department of Elections at 856-5367. All absentee ballots must be received by the department by no later than noon on March 1. In response to the multiple concerns I have received regarding the November 2016 findings by the State Auditor’s Office of alleged financial improprieties by the Indian River School District, I have reached out to Attorney General Matt Denn to find out whether criminal charges were being pursued. Attorney General Denn responded, confirming that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the issue in order to determine whether criminal charges will be filed against any individual. He stated the following: “That investigation, which involves both fact-finding and legal analysis, is not yet complete. When it is complete, there will be a public announcement as to whether or not DOJ will seek criminal charges against any individual and, to the extent appropriate and permitted by law, an explanation of that decision. It is not known at this time whether the investigation will be complete prior to the scheduled referendum.” Your participation in this referendum vote on March 2 is very important. Please make your voices heard that day.

Ruth Briggs King District 37 State Representative (R) Georgetown