Voters Approve Berkeley School Referendum

Berkeley County voters appear to have approved a $198 million capital building program proposed by district officials.

Wwih 52 of 57 precincts reporting, the referendum was leading aginst opposition 30,542 to 22,094.

The work proposed includes significant improvements at Goose Creek and Stratford high schools and Marrington Middle School, as well as new elementary schools in Hanahan and at Foxbank Plantation.

Critics of the referendum called for more specificity in spending, and questioned the fiscal management of past capital projects and the role they believed the district played in supporting the referendum's passage.

WCIV, News 4, spoke with district leaders as votes came in. 

"I'm just excited that democracy is working at it's best in Berkeley County and our board had the vision to let the public decide on what was the best way to move forward within the education process for our children," said BCSD Superintendent Rodney Thompson.

Read more of the WCIV report.

Items on the ballot included:

• Constructing and equipping (including technology) the following schools: A new high school in the Daniel Island/Cainhoy area; a new middle school in the Daniel Island/Cainhoy area; and new elementary schools in the Sheep Island Road, Tanner and Foxbank Plantation areas.
• Major renovations, improvements, additions and modifications, including technology and other equipment, to the following schools: Cross High School, Goose Creek High School, Marrington Middle School, Stratford High School and Timberland High School. 
• Renovations, improvements, additions and modifications including technology and other equipment, to the following schools: Berkeley Education Center, Berkeley Intermediate School, Berkeley High School, Boulder Bluff Elementary School, Cainhoy Elementary/Middle School, College Park Elementary School, College Park Middle School, Cross Elementary School, Daniel Island Elementary School, Devon Forest Elementary School, Goose Creek Primary School, Hanahan Elementary School, Hanahan High School, Hanahan Middle School, HE Bonner Elementary School, Howe Hall AIMS School, JK Gourdin Elementary School, Marrington Elementary School, Sangaree Elementary School, Sangaree Intermediate School, Sedgefield Intermediate School, St. Stephen Middle School, Westview Middle School, Whitesville Elementary School