Politics & Government

School Board Approves $179M Ref for Nov Ballot

Dorchester County School District Two seeks funds for school improvements and construction of new schools.

Dorchester Two's school board unanimously approved placing a $179-million referendum on the November ballot this week.

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The referendum asks voters to vote for or against the bond, and then asks a follow-up question, dependent upon the first question being approved. The second part of the question asks whether or not voters would approve another $7.5 million to go toward building an aquatic center.

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The aquatic center would teach water safety to all elementary school students in the district, and would be partnered with the YMCA, which would handle the operation and facility maintenance, and provide a life guard, according to Dorchester Two spokeswoman Pat Raynor. 

Here is how the questions will look to voters:

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Question 1:

Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2 of Dorchester County, South Carolina, be authorized to issue and sell, either at one time as a single issue or from time to time as several separate issues, general obligation bonds of School District No. 2 of Dorchester County in the aggregate principal amount of not exceeding $179,910,000, the proceeds of which shall be applied to defray costs of issuance of such bonds and the costs of:

a. the design, construction, equipping and furnishing of three elementary schools and a middle school of the arts;

b. renovations, repairs, expansions, equipment and furnishings at Eagle Nest Elementary, Flowertown Elementary, Newington Elementary, Oakbrook Elementary, Summerville Elementary, Alston Middle, Oakbrook Middle, Ashley Ridge High, Fort Dorchester High and Summerville High; and

c. capital improvements at other facilities of the School District to include conversion of Rollings Middle School of the Arts to office/administrative space, roof repairs, improvements to heating, ventilation and air conditioning and installing wireless throughout the School District

In favor of the question [ ]

Oppose to the question [ ]

Question 2:

In the event that Question 1 above is approved, shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2 of Dorchester County, South Carolina, be further authorized to issue and sell, either at one time as a single issue or from time to time as several separate issues, general obligation bonds of School District No. 2 of Dorchester County in the aggregate principal amount of not exceeding $7,500,000, the proceeds of which shall be applied to defray costs of issuance of such bonds and the costs of designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing an aquatic center?

In favor of the question [ ]

Oppose to the question [ ]

According to district Chief Financial Officer Allyson Duke, a referendum in this amount would create an increase of $84 on a $100,000 house and $25 on a $20,000 car in the county. 

According to Dorchester County Auditor J.J. Messervy, an owner-occupied home in the limits of Summerville currently pays $685.20 per $100,000, adjusted with property tax relief but not including fees. A non-owner-occupied home in town pays $2,095.20 per $100,000, adjusted with property tax relief but not including fees.

The referendum and .


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