A school bond referendum vote is coming up at the end of this month. Lisa McCarley is a referendum?committee?member?and sent out information this week giving?details?on the referendum. There are public forums set up so you can learn more. See Lisa’s info below
Dear Friends and Community Members – Please support and share this information. We do have yard signs available and need help distributing flyers in mailboxes and promoting at the polls on April 30th. Let me know if you are willing to help.
On April 30th, the residents of the Fort Mill and Tega Cay areas will be given the opportunity to vote on the upcoming $54 million School Bond Referendum.
During the Fall 2012, Dr. Epps initiated the conversation with the public about the growing need to address future capacity issues at both high schools. Enrollment numbers indicated that around 2015/2016, FMHS and NFHS would reach their student capacity of 1,800 (or 3,600 students total).
After a thorough analysis, the administration determined an expansion of both high schools was the best option for a variety of reasons. Expansion bundled with other district improvements proved to be less costly than added a third high school, $54 million versus $110+ million, which translated into less of a tax burden to the public (over a 50% savings). Also, the school district is still carrying significant debt from the construction of other schools and a very tight operational budget, so delaying the construction of the third high school (which is inevitable) until the mid-2020?s would allow the district time to pay down its debt and have the operational resources for the third high school. Projections indicate a saturation point of 7,200 students at the high school level, so having three high schools with capacities of 2,400 apiece would service the community effectively.
The referendum committee, co-chaired by three community members: Michele Branning; Lisa McCarley, and David Macaulay, will be providing several public forums during the coming weeks to address questions and concerns from the community. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
- Thursday, April 18th at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church ? 7:00 pm
- Tuesday, April 23rd at Fort Mill Middle School ? 6:30 pm*
- Wednesday, April 24th at Unity Presbyterian Church ? 7:00 pm
- (*Free Child Care available)
The following information is the actual question to be voted upon in April, with bullets a-f providing the specifics of the referendum.
REFERENDUM QUESTION – FORT MILL SCHOOL DISTRICT – VOTING ON APRIL 30, 2013
Question: Shall the Board of Trustees of Fort Mill School District No. 4 of York 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. 4 of York County in the total principal amount of not to exceed $54,345,000, the proceeds of which shall be applied to defray costs of issuance of such bonds, architectural and engineering costs, and the costs of:
a) Renovating, expanding, equipping and furnishing the existing Riverview Elementary School for use as part of Fort Mill High School and upgrading existing facilities at Fort Mill High School;
b) Upgrading, expanding, furnishing and equipping Nation Ford High School;
c) Constructing, equipping and furnishing a new elementary school to replace the existing Riverview Elementary School;
d) Upgrading information technology equipment and security systems at School District facilities;
e) Installing artificial turf at Fort Mill High School And Nation Ford High School stadiums to meet increased demands for school and community use; and
f) To the extent proceeds of such general obligation bonds remain available and in such priority as determined by the Board of Trustees, acquiring land for, renovating, repairing, expanding, equipping and furnishing of facilities of the School District?
We Would Love To Hear Your Comments