Referendum Press Releases
March 15, 2024
815 South Main Street
Summerville,SC 29483
(843) 873-2901 • FAX (843) 873-4053
Dorchester School District Two Board of Trustees approves a resolution for a
special election to be held on May 14th for a bond referendum to address growth.
DDTwo Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution to hold a special election on May 14 for a bond referendum to address growth. The goal is to implement a sustainable long-term plan for our facilities to eliminate overcrowding, lower teacher-to-student ratios in the classroom and improve aging schools.
Why: The district faces two critical challenges that require the necessity to pursue a bond referendum.
The first challenge is building capacity. Increased enrollment (3,000 students since 2012) has led to overcrowding in several DDTwo schools. At the top of the list are Sand Hill Elementary (110% capacity), Beech Hill Elementary (118% capacity), and Ashley Ridge High School (115% capacity).
National research shows the impact of overcrowded schools can: lower the ability of students to pay attention, lower student achievement, increase student behavioral issues, and contribute to higher rates of student and teacher absenteeism. Forecasts indicate an increase of 700-1,000 students per year for the next 10 years in our district. This increase in students will overwhelm multiple school enrollment populations.
In addition, some of our schools do not have classroom space for important future programming that includes related arts, special education, and expansion of the all-day 4K program.
The second challenge is the number of aging schools in DDTwo because of deferred maintenance. Many buildings require major structural improvements and renovations in the next several years.
Neither challenge can be fully addressed with current capital facility funding.
How: The district plans to fund the $200 million referendum with NO tax and NO millage rate increase on Dorchester County residents located in DDTwo attendance areas.
DDTwo is one of a few communities in South Carolina that can pursue a bond referendum that will not raise the tax/millage rate on residents in our district. Conservative financial management, coupled with multiple refunding efforts to lower interest rates on current bonds have made it possible for previously issued bonds to be paid off early. This leaves the capacity for new bond issuances within current millage rates.
The district’s preparation for the bond referendum has been extensive:
· Fall 2022: Completed a comprehensive facility study
· Winter 2023: Completed a demographic study and approved a rezoning plan
· Spring 2024: Add additional learning cottages and design/plan for brick-and-mortar additions
The district is utilizing four approaches to combat the critical growth that have different timelines and costs associated with each:
· Rezoning: 6-12 months, $0
· Learning Cottages: 12-18 months, $1 million / 4 classrooms (100 students)
· Brick & Mortar Additions: 18-24 months, $7 million / 10 classrooms (250 students)
· New Construction: 36-40 months, $57-60 million / elementary school (1200 students)
Dr. Shane Robbins said, “I cannot emphasize enough the significance of this bond referendum for our school community and more importantly our students. In a community that is growing at the rate of ours and with the funding we have in place, it is impossible to keep up with our facilities. This bond referendum will enable the district to complete much-needed repairs of some of our oldest schools while at the same time building new structures to house our growing student population. The most noteworthy feature of this referendum is that it will have a zero tax/millage rate impact on our community.”
Learn More at ddtwo.org/referendum:
· Information Sessions Presentation
· 2024 Master Project List by School
· 2012 Referendum Outcomes
· Ballot Question
· Frequently Asked Questions
· May 14 Voting Information
April 8, 2024
815 South Main Street
Summerville,SC 29483
(843) 873-2901 • FAX (843) 873-4053
DR. SHANE ROBBINS
Superintendent
April 8, 2024
Registered voters in Dorchester School District Two’s attendance area
are eligible to vote in the special election on May 14, 2024.
DDTwo Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution to hold a special election on May 14 for a bond referendum to address growth by eliminating overcrowding, lowering teacher-to-student ratios, and improving aging schools. Residents located in the DDTwo attendance area who are registered to vote 30 days before the election are eligible to vote. A photo ID is required to vote in South Carolina.
Visit Dorchester County Election Commission’s website for voting information.
2024 Election
School Board District 2 Bond Referendum
- Election Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
- Registration Deadline: Any person wishing to vote in this election must do so no later than 30 days prior to the election. The last day to register in-person is Friday, April 12, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. Voter registration by mail forms will be accepted if postmarked by Monday, April 15, 2024. Voter registration online, by fax, or by email must be entered no later than Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
- Absentee Deadline: Friday, May 3, 2024, by 5:00 p.m.
Early Voting
School Board District 2 Bond Referendum
- Early Voting Location: Marcia O’Brien Conference Center - 200 Stadium Circle, Summerville, SC 29483
- Early Voting Dates/Times:
- April 29 – May 10, 2024
- Monday – Friday / Weekdays Only
- 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Helpful Links
- Online Voter Registration
- Check My Voter Registration
- Update My Voter Registration
- Get My Sample Ballot
- Find My Polling Place
- Check My Absentee Ballot
- Check My Provisional Ballot
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more at ddtwo.org/referendum.
April 26, 2024
815 South Main Street
Summerville,SC 29483
(843) 873-2901 • FAX (843) 873-4053
DR. SHANE ROBBINS
Superintendent
April 26, 2024
Early voting begins April 29th for the DDTwo Special Election
Early voting begins Monday, April 29th for the DDTwo Special Election at the Marcia O’Brien Conference Center, 200 Stadium Circle, Summerville (Behind Summerville Elementary School), Weekdays 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, thru May 10th.
The DDTwo Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution to hold a special election on May 14th to address growth by eliminating overcrowding, lowering teacher-to-student ratios, and improving aging schools. Residents located in the DDTwo attendance area who are registered to vote 30 days before the election are eligible to vote. A photo ID is required to vote in South Carolina.
Ballot Question:
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."
⬭ In favor of the question/yes
⬭ Opposed to the question/no
MAY 8, 2024
815 South Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-2901 • FAX (843) 873-4053
DR. SHANE ROBBINS
Superintendent
May 8, 2024
To: All Media
From: Jennifer Passmore, Public Information Officer
Eligible voters in the DDTwo attendance area prepare for a special election on May 14, 2024.
With early voting coming to a close on May 10th, residents in the DDTwo attendance area prepare for the district’s
special election on Tuesday, May 14th. The goal of the referendum is to implement a sustainable long-term facilities
plan to eliminate overcrowding, lower teacher-to-student ratios, and improve aging schools.
Voter Information:
- Where do I learn more about the DDTwo Referendum? Visit ddtwo.org/referendum.
- Who is eligible to vote? Residents who registered at least 30 days before the election, live in the DDTwo attendance area, and provide a photo ID are eligible to vote in this special election. Visit ddtwo.org/referendum > Attendance Area Lookup Tool to determine if you live in the DD2 attendance area.
- Where do I vote early? Early voting is open through May 10th at the Marcia O’Brien Conference Center (Behind Summerville Elementary School), 200 Stadium Circle, Summerville, Hours: Weekdays 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Where do I vote on May 14th? To find your polling place, visit ddtwo.org/referendum > Find My Polling Place
Hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
| May 14 Polling Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Alston Middle School | 500 Bryan St. Summerville 29483 |
| Ashley Ridge High School | 9800 Delmar Highway Summerville 29483 |
| Beech Hill Elementary | 861 Beech Hill Rd. Summerville 29483 |
| Canaan United Methodist Church | 171 Highway 61 Ridgeville 29472 |
| Dorchester Presbyterian Church | 10286 Dorchester Rd Summerville 29485 |
| DuBose Middle School | 860 DuBose School Rd Summerville 29483 |
| First Emmanuel Baptist Church | 10665 Dorchester Rd Summerville 29483 |
| Flowertown Elementary School | 20 King Charles Cir Summerville 29485 |
| Ft. Dorchester Elementary School | 5201 Old Glory Lane Summerville 29485 |
| Dorchester County Library | 8620 Patriot Blvd N. Charleston 29420 |
| Grace Lutheran Church | 1600 Old Trolley Road Summerville 29485 |
| Gregg Middle School | 500 Green Wave Blvd Summerville 29483 |
| Knightsville Elementary School | 847 Orangeburg Rd Summerville 29483 |
| Knightsville United Methodist Church | 1505 Central Ave Summerville 29483 |
| Marcia O’Brien Conference Center | 200 Stadium Cir Summerville 29483 |
| Miles Road Baptist Church | 816 Miles Jamison Rd Summerville 29485 |
| Newington Elementary School | 10 Kings Charles Cir Summerville 29485 |
| Oakbrook Elementary School | 306 Old Fort Rd Ladson 29456 |
| Oakbrook Middle School | 286 Old Fort Rd Ladson 29456 |
| Reeves Elementary School | 1003 DuBose School Rd Summerville29483 |
| River Oaks Middle School | 8642 River Oaks Dr N. Charleston 29420 |
| Riverbluff Church | 5421 River Bluff Pkwy N. Charleston 29420 |
| Sand Hill Elementary School | 324 Gnarly Oak Lane Summerville 29485 |
| Sires Elementary School | 301 Chandler Creek Rd Summerville 29485 |
| Stallsville United Methodist Church | 255 Stallsville Rd Summerville 29485 |
| Summerville Church of Christ | 413 Old Trolley Rd Summerville 29485 |
| Summerville High School | 1101 Boone Hill Rd Summerville 29483 |
| Summerville Senior Center | 312 N Laurel St Summerville 29483 |
| Windsor Hill Elementary | 8600 William Moultrie Dr N. Char. 29420 |