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DORCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT REFERENDUM. Dorchester School District Two Accomplishments. Ranked among top 10 in state for academic achievement Ranked in bottom 5 in state in the amount of revenues received and thus spent per pupil
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Dorchester School District TwoAccomplishments • Ranked among top 10 in state for academic achievement • Ranked in bottom 5 in state in the amount of revenues received and thus spent per pupil • Built 6 schools and numerous smaller projects utilizing sources generated by area growth and low interest stimulus bonds with minimal to no tax impact
Other Options to Fund Schools • Sales Tax Option – Only school districts that collect in excess of $7 million of accommodation taxes may have a sales tax option to pay for schools (Charleston and Horry) - A proviso was introduced this year to allow a sales tax option to help pay for school construction, but it failed. • Lease purchase option not available to school districts at this time • Impact fees collected since July 2009 are approximately $4 million - Amount collected not enough to cover the cost of building a new school - Currently impact fees not allowed to be used until court ruling on legality
Referendum History • May 23, 1989 $28,100,000 Successful • Sept. 26, 1995 $25,500,000 Successful • March 26, 2003 $98,300,000 Unsuccessful
Dorchester School District TwoBenefits of Maintaining a Top-Quality School District • Home value – increase and maintain higher home values • Economic value – attract economic development and create qualified workforce • Community value - cultivate and maintain educated youth in community
Dorchester School District TwoReasons for a Referendum • Manage student growth to keep children out of trailers and maintain optimal classroom sizes for student learning - Currently, areas not designed for student learning are being used for instruction - Currently, lunch is being served shortly after school begins until shortly before school lets out in order to feed all students. • Long term facility and technology needs such as roofing, HVAC, and technology infrastructure
Regional Population Growth TrendsSource: Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
Total Per Pupil Funding IncludingFederal, State, and Local *Source - Budget and Control Board, Office of Research of Statistics
Career and Technology Education Additions • Currently, more courses are being offered at the high school campuses due to career/business needs; however, space is limited due to growth as well as ability to handle program requirements • Will create comprehensive high schools with the additions to include: > culinary arts > health sciences > drafting & design > electricity > aerospace engineering > digital electronics > biomedical sciences > carpentry & building trades > nail tech & cosmetology
Boiler Rooms Rollings Middle School of the Arts Knightsville Elementary School
Dorchester School District TwoNew School Designs • Middle School – River Oaks Middle School design • 3 Elementary Schools – Joseph R. Pye Elementary School design
Dorchester School District TwoNew School Sites • Middle School – YMCA property located off Travelers Blvd. • Elementary School – The Ponds property located between Hwy17A and Old Orangeburg Rd • Elementary School – Pine Trace property located off Miles Jameson Road • Elementary School – To be determined
CURRENT DEBT SCHEDULE & SAVINGS FROM RECENT REFINANCING Bond interest and call dates are analyzed to determine refunding opportunities in order to achieve interest savings • 2010 - $12,325,000 refunding – savings of $1,300,000 • 2012 - $155,000,000 refunding – potential savings of $10,000,000* *refunding will occur if market continues to be favorable
ESTIMATED COMMUNITY INVESTMENT $179,910,000 Million Referendum Taxes on a 4% Residential Property 17 mills (8 mill increase in first tax year - 2013) MAXIMUM $ 68 / Year or 19¢ / Day $ 100,000 Millage applies to all properties-residential as well as business. 4% residential properties are only exempt from school operating millage. Dorchester School District Two =
Tax Bill on a $100,000 HouseImpact of 17 mill increase (Does not include taxes for city or fire)
ESTIMATED COMMUNITY INVESTMENT $179,910,000 Million Referendum Taxes on a 6% Business Property 17 mills (8 mill increase in first tax year - 2013) MAXIMUM $ 102 / Year or 28¢ / Day $ 100,000 Millage applies to all properties-residential as well as business. 4% residential properties are only exempt from school operating millage. Dorchester School District Two =
Dorchester School District TwoOptions if Referendum Fails • Additional trailers- limited space may force trailers to be placed in parking lot areas • Increases in class sizes • Attendance line changes • Continued A/C, roofing, and major facility issues deferred until funds become available • Continued compromising of program integrity due to inadequate space ALL OF THE ABOVE IMPACTS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY
Ballot Question for Schools 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 School, Fort Dorchester High School and Summerville High School; and c. capital improvements at other facilities of the School District to include conversion of Middle School 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 [ ] Opposed to the question [ ] If you are in favor of the question and are voting by optical scan ballot, darken the oval before the words "In favor of the question." If you are in favor of the question and are voting electronically, touch the area with the words "In favor of the question." If you are opposed to the question and are voting by optical scan ballot, darken the oval before the words "Opposed to the question." If you are opposed to the question and are voting electronically, touch the area with the words "Opposed to the question."
Ballot Question for Aquatic Center 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 [ ] Opposed to the question [ ] If you are in favor of the question and are voting by optical scan ballot, darken the oval before the words "In favor of the question." If you are in favor of the question and are voting electronically, touch the area with the words "In favor of the question." If you are opposed to the question and are voting by optical scan ballot, darken the oval before the words "Opposed to the question." If you are opposed to the question and are voting electronically, touch the area with the words "Opposed to the question."
What Can You Do? • Advocate for children in our region • Become educated & aware of school district needs • Know how this impacts not only your community but you personally • Spread the word • Register to vote by October 6 • Vote on November 6