LANCASTER, S.C. — The Lancaster County School District Bond Subcommittee met virtually Tuesday, March 12, to discuss adjustments for the district’s bond referendum.
After discussion, bond option one of $588,150,000 was chosen over bond option two of $636,650,000. Option one, which is a slight increase over the original $585 million bond discussed in February, will include $2 million in renovations at Buford Middle School, $1 million for a new turf field at Indian Land Middle School, and a $150,000 softball field press box at Lancaster High School.
Option two included a brand new middle school in Buford at $63,750,000 with the other projects intact. Renovations at Buford Middle School were not included.
The options were presented to the bond subcommittee after discussion with community members and school leaders about needs throughout the school district. The Buford community also sought input on cost comparisons between a new middle school and renovations.
“I’m recommending going with the $588 million as a subcommittee to put forward for the full board agreement. If the board determines that there’s some tweaking or modifications we want to do on the project’s list later, we have some time to do that by moving forward with the vote in March,” said Melvin Stroble, chair of the LCSD Bond Subcommittee.
Subcommittee member Eddie Boykin felt that option one was best presented in regards to the set-up of the bond.
“I think we’re doing it right. We’re listening to people in the bond committee and our professionals. We’ve made a good plan and I think option one is where we want to move.
“I don’t know that we could absorb another $30-40 million dollar increase in what we’re doing,” he said.
According to Stroble, the option will move forward as a resolution at the school board meeting Tuesday, March 19, that will outline the bond question for voters and the projects the subcommittee is recommending for full board consideration.
Due to the possibility of Lancaster County Council holding a vote on its own referendum on May 13, Stroble emphasized the importance of making sure the resolution is voted on about 60 days before that date.
“It’s important that the voters do not get confused between the two bond referendums. We want to make sure that a vote taken by the school board is in advancement of anything County Council does,” Stroble said.
Subcommittee members also talked about ways in presenting the bond in a neutral, but informative manner.
Elizabeth Bryant, director of communications for LCSD, suggested that the district promotes the bond through writing and phone campaigns, along with utilizing both volunteers and social media.
All would have to be generated through fundraising once the bond is set in stone.
“From a district standpoint, we’re allowed to educate once the bond moves forward. We’re to inform, not to influence the vote,” Bryant said.
The next bond subcommittee will be held in April at a date yet to be determined.
