Sept. 7, 2023 • Volume 12, Issue 9 • Complimentary • HiltonHeadSun.com
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID BLUFFTON, SC PERMIT NO. 135 POSTAL CUSTOMER
School Bond Referendum for $439M Will Be on November’s Ballot By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
A new elementary school, a rebuilt high school, and a technology warehouse are among the projects that will be covered by the 2023 bond referendum proposed by the Beaufort County School District. According to Superintendent Frank Rodriguez it is not uncommon for growing school districts to need a bond referendum every four to five years to accommodate population growth and preserve existing facilities. However, it is important to note that even with this spending, it will not increase the millage rate in our community which represents the amount of property tax paid on real estate. It is measured in mills, equivalent to a tenth of a percent. “The millage is at 36.3 with the 2019 referendum and it will remain at 36.3, so we have positioned ourselves financially in a good way so that we don’t have to raise the millage in order to accomplish a $439 million bond referendum,” said Rodriguez. Projects planned under the referendum include: constructing and equipping Career and Technology Education additions at Bluffton High School, and renovations
Back To School Brings Smiles and New Opportunities 12A
and additions at May River High School; constructing and equipping a kitchen to be used for the Right Choices Alternative Program and the District Educational Services Center; constructing, acquiring and installing HVAC equipment at multiple school facilities; and constructing improvements to parking lots, driveways and sidewalks at multiple school facilities. A Bluffton project will seek to ease the growth around Pritchardville and May River area with a new pre-kindergarten to fifth grade school on the campus of May River High School. “We have room on that campus for a pre-K to 5, and also - on the River Ridge campus - we have room for an early childhood expansion facility, as well. We’re looking at those two places in order to serve more students,” said Rodriguez. “The population in that area is continuing to show growth. Many of our elementary schools in Bluffton are essentially right around capacity, so this is going to provide some much-needed relief.” Another major project will be the rebuilding and renovating the whole of Hilton Head Island High School. “It’s a project that is going to involve new construction,” said Chief Operations Officer Robert Oetting. “We’re planning
Local Sailor Wins Youth Championship in Greece 16A
Hilton Head Island High School is one of several schools that will receive money for upgrades and expansion as part of the $439 million school bond referendum that will be on November’s ballot.
to build - at the very start - a three-story addition that’s going to be about 183,000 square feet. Once that is complete, we will demolish the academic portion of the building that’s there today, and what will remain is the Seahawk Cultural Center.” Phase two of the project will involve building a new cafeteria, a long kitchen and then a career and technical educa-
tion area. The third phase will include renovation of the performing arts areas, the gyms and the cafeteria, which will be turned into locker rooms, a wrestling area and weightlifting area. The final phase will be renovating the Seahawk Cultural Center.
University of South Carolina Beaufort Wins Excellence Award 20A
PAL Offers Online Aution to Raise Money For Animals 32A
Please see REFERENDUM on page 10A
Sunny Side Up 3A • Editorial 4A • Sun on the Street 6A • Noteworthy 24A • Business 26A • Legal 32A • Wellness 33A • Faith 39A • Family 40 • Pets 50A • Nature 43A • Pets 45A • Real Estate 46