Anita Zucker Backs Berkeley Schools Referendum

As we get closer to Nov. 6, supporters and opponents have been increasing vocal on the $198 million Berkeley County schools bond referendum.

On Friday, local businesswoman and noted philanthropist Anita Zucker wrote an opinion piece calling for Berkeley County voters to support the referendum.

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If approved by voters, new schools are planned for Daniel Island and Cainhoy, as well as elementary schools for Hanahan, Foxbank Plantation and the Sheep Island area.

Significant improvements are planned at Goose Creek High, Stratford High and Marrington School of the Arts.

Improvements are planned more than two dozen other schools, including Boulder Bluff Elementary, College Park Elementary, College Park Middle, Devon Forest Elementary, Goose Creek Primary, Hanahan Elementary, Hanahan Middle, Hanahan High, Howe Hall AIMS, Marrington Elementary, Sangaree Elementary, Sangaree Intermediate, Sedgefield Intermediate, Westview Elementary and Westview Middle. 

Read the Berkeley schools ballot referendum as it will appear on the ballot

The InterTech Group CEO noted that the Charleston area's greatest challenge is education and preparing students for the global workforce.

"After all, we want to be sure that our children have a good chance of getting a decent job and staying right here in our beloved region," she wrote.

"That often depends upon high-tech learning, something that Berkeley County schools simply don’t have the facilities to adequately provide. So that’s another way in which kids are being held back."

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She concluded: "To each Berkeley County resident who cares about education — who understands how good schooling can enrich people’s lives beyond imagining and who seeks an opportunity to make an important difference in the quality of education — I say, 'Here is that opportunity. Vote YES for the School Improvement Referendum."

Read more of Zucker's comments in the Post and Courier.