Superintendent says Indian River’s test scores jumped, outlines reorganization that will cut $3.8M this year

Superintendent Dr. Moore told the school board at a May workshop that Indian River County schools posted strong preliminary academic outcomes for 2025–26 and that the district will use an annual reorganization to push resources toward schools.

"We will be an A district for the fourth year in a row," Dr. Moore said, previewing data that show 67% of students tested at or above grade level in ELA compared with a statewide figure of 61%. He highlighted third‑grade reading (up to about 75%) and strong gains in middle‑school civics and U.S. history as drivers of broader improvement.

The superintendent framed the academic report as context for a planned realignment of central‑office duties and school supports. He said the current reorganization will produce about $279,000 in immediate salary reductions, roughly $1.5 million in realized savings from staffing absorption, and $1.9 million in annual reallocations — about $3.8 million in the current cycle and more than $11 million over seven years.

Dr. Moore said the district’s approach has been to "get money as close to kids as possible," and to reorganize annually to match staff and structures to the system’s capacity. He described a multi‑year intent: "How do I design the system so when Kelly gets that job offer... the next man up will be ready?"

Board members commended teachers and administrators for the results. "If we can get literacy right in third grade, we've got a chance to really change the lives of kids," one board member said, echoing the superintendent's emphasis on early reading.

Board members also asked for clarification about how the state will finalize school grades and noted that the district's figures are preliminary until the state completes its calculations. Dr. Moore warned some small shifts are possible when the state applies official enrollment and stability rules.

What happens next: staff said the preliminary data will be posted and the formal school‑grade reports will arrive when the state finalizes its files (staff estimated late June or early July). No formal action was taken at the workshop; several items related to the reorganization will come before the board for approval at an upcoming business meeting.