Forty-two years have passed since Aiken County voters last approved a property tax increase to benefit education. On Tuesday, county voters decided not to wait one moment longer, approving a $90 million dollar bond referendum that will fund safety and technology improvements at three elementary schools, a significant expansion at Midland Valley High School, as well as the construction of a new elementary and new middle school between Graniteville and North Augusta.
More than 16,000 ballots were cast, amounting to a turnout of about 14% of registered voters. All precinct results are now available, with 8,664 yes votes and 7,391 opposed.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team and the unbelievable effort they’ve put forth in informing the community about our school facility needs,” Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford stated. “Voter turnout was strong, especially for a Special Election. To see so many come out to vote is a good indication of the health of our community and the emphasis Aiken County has on education. “
Dr. Alford said the voting results display the passion the community has for education in Aiken County and for the safety of all teachers and students.
“I would like to thank everyone who participated today for lending their voice and for voting their conscience. The results serve as a reminder to all of what we in Aiken County Public Schools have known for many years – that this community cares deeply about providing the best possible education for all Aiken County students,” stated Dr. Alford.
The vote will help to make students at Millbrook Elementary, Hammond Hill Elementary and Belvedere Elementary safer while also bringing their buildings into the 21st-Century with new technology. It will take floating teachers and place them into classrooms of their own at Midland Valley High School by expanding their campus with a 24-classroom addition. Support from voters will provide a solution to crowded hallways in the Graniteville and North Augusta areas with the construction of an elementary and middle school on a shared campus strategically located to provide the greatest relief to capacity issues in the years to come.
During a regularly scheduled meeting held January 23, 2018, members of the Aiken County Board of Education unanimously approved eight recommendations by District administration, including putting forward a $90 million bond referendum. Bond referendum approval will mean an increase in property taxes to homeowners of $20/year/$100K home value (on a 4% tax base) and $30/year/$100K value (on a 6% tax base), and includes all property (homes, vehicles, etc.).
Dr. Alford took a moment Tuesday evening to acknowledge the tremendous support of so many in the community ahead of Tuesday’s historic vote.
“This is a victory for our entire community. Tonight would not have been possible without the tremendous support of organizations, boards and groups including Aiken and North Augusta Chambers of Commerce, North Augusta Forward, the municipal councils of New Ellenton, Jackson, North Augusta, and certainly the Citizens Advocacy Group,” Dr. Alford continued. “Their passion and commitment to public education is to be admired and is certainly appreciated.”
Construction on the six approved bond referendum projects is scheduled to begin no later than 2019, with completion of all projects expected to take place in 2022.
“We will continue to strive to be open and transparent in our communication to stakeholders, and we reaffirm our promise and pledge to be good stewards of the public’s financial resources,” Dr. Alford stated. “We look forward to the many ribbon-cutting ceremonies to come, and hope everyone will join us in those future celebrations.”
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECTS:
Midland Valley High School was built for 1,326 students and 2017-18 enrollment is 1,463. Due to exponential growth in the Horse Creek Valley Area, the community's high school is currently at 110% capacity and has nine portable classrooms and five "floating" teachers (these teachers do not have a dedicated classroom and carry their materials in backpacks, utilizing other teachers' classrooms when unoccupied).
Renovation and expansion of Midland Valley High School will cost $20 million and provide for the addition of 24 classrooms, an auxiliary gym, dining, parking, and enhanced security.
Hammond Hill Elementary School in North Augusta is currently at 104% capacity, with a total enrollment this year of 757 students in their facility that was built for 728. In order to accommodate the additional students, Hammond Hill has nine portable classrooms which has presented safety concerns for students walking from the main building to portables. Many of Hammond Hill's classrooms only have two electrical outlets, making teachers' abilities to create a 21st century learning environment for students increasingly difficult.
The cost of renovation and expansion of Hammond Hill Elementary School, including 18 classrooms and enhancements to the core facility and security, is $15 million.
Belvedere Elementary School currently has 651 students and capacity for just 645. In addition to the school being over-capacity, the 1950s-style school presents safety concerns for students and staff members as numerous classroom doors open to the front of the building/outside and the main entrance doesn't force traffic to the main office, making it difficult to monitor visitors entering and exiting the building.
With older restrooms, single-paned windows, narrow hallways and limited parking, the remedy for Belvedere Elementary includes 22 classrooms, a renovated entrance/lobby, improved carline stacking/drop off, enhanced security (fully enclosing the school and eliminating classrooms open to the outside). The cost of the renovation and expansion of Belvedere is $12 million.
Millbrook Elementary School, with revised attendance lines beginning in the 2018-19 school year, will have a projected enrollment of 724 students. While the school will remain just slightly under capacity at 95%, the need at Millbrook, with classroom wings dating back to the 1950s, is more about student and staff safety than space. Millbrook is located on Pine Log Road, one of the busiest roads in the City of Aiken, and 20 classroom doors open up to the outside. A number of fences and consistent supervision from staff members help ensure the safety of students, but the open campus without a centralized entrance is a difficult security obstacle to overcome without extensive renovation.
The plans for Millbrook include 20 classrooms (fully enclosing the school and eliminating classrooms open to the outside), an additional playground space, and an improved carline stacking/drop off (in an effort to alleviate some of the school traffic from Pine Log Road). The cost of the renovation and expansion at Millbrook is $11 million.
The growth in two areas of the county (North Augusta and Midland Valley) has substantially exceeded projections. With growth, comes students and families to schools already at or near capacity. The school district has been donated land between Graniteville and North Augusta in the area being developed as Highland Springs and will construct a new elementary and a new middle school there, each will have the capacity for 700 students. With an efficient use of funding through shared spaces and utilizing existing school plans, these schools will be built at a total cost of $32 million.