Voters to decide on Dorchester District 2 referendum Tuesday
DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – People who live inside the Dorchester District 2 attendance lines can cast their vote on whether to approve a multi-million-dollar referendum that will be used to help alleviate overcrowding and enhance safety in area schools.
District officials said the goal of the $200 million referendum is to implement a sustainable long-term facilities plan to help with schools that are too full, lower teacher-to-student ratios, and improve aging schools.
The referendum does not include a tax or millage rate increase for residents.
“We’re growing at such an accelerated pace right now that we’re just literally, in certain parts of the community, out of space for children and we want them to have the best academic environment possible. We feel like we have a world-class staff, but we want them to have world-class facilities as well,” said DD2 Superintendent Dr. Shane Robbins.
Voters can head to their usual polling location on Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
A ballot measure question will read:
“Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2 of Dorchester County, South Carolina (the “School District”) be empowered to issue, at one time or from time to time, general obligation bonds of the School District, in a principal amount of not exceeding $200,000,000, the proceeds of which shall be used to finance the costs (including architectural, engineering, legal and related fees, and land acquisition, if necessary) of the following:
- Constructing, acquiring, and installing additional safety and security enhancements at all school facilities;
- Constructing and equipping a new PreK-5 elementary school in the area of the Ponds Development;
- Constructing and equipping a new PreK-5 elementary school in the area of the Yerby Development;
- Constructing and equipping renovations and additions to Knightsville Elementary School;
- Constructing and equipping renovations and additions to Sand Hill Elementary School;
- Constructing and equipping renovations and additions to Summerville Elementary School;
- Constructing and equipping renovations and additions to Ashley Ridge High School;
- Constructing and equipping renovations and additions to Summerville High School;
- Constructing and equipping renovations and additions to Fort Dorchester High School;
- Internal and external renovations and improvements at multiple school facilities;
- Replacing and repairing roofing at multiple school facilities;
- Acquiring and installing equipment and furniture at multiple school facilities; and
- Constructing improvements to outside areas including parking lots, driveways, landscaping, and sidewalks at multiple school facilities?
If the voter wishes to vote in favor of the question, fill in the oval next to “In favor of the question/yes;” if the voter wishes to vote against the question, fill in the oval next to the words, “Opposed to the question/no.”
To learn more about this referendum, and how previous referendum funding was utilized in the district, please click here.
