Ministers Say Community Needs School Bond Referendum

By Rev. Leonard Griffin, Rev. Richard Harkness, Bishop Johnie Johnson, Minister Kenny Johnson, Rev. Stephen Love, Rev. Joe McNeil, Rev. Virginia Stafford, and Rev. Mae Taylor

As ministers, we aim to meet our community's needs and work day in and day out with our families and children to do so. We are blessed to live and worship in Berkeley County. Our experiences confirm to us that strong families, strong values and a strong education are cornerstones for a contributing citizen of the future.

That's why we support the Berkeley School Improvement Referendum.

Our children are being held back by out-of-date facilities. Classrooms are overcrowded. Many students are crammed into trailers. Our school campuses are not as safe as they need to be. And inadequate facilities prevent our students from benefiting from the kind of high tech learning that they'll need to get good jobs in today’s competitive job environment.

The School Improvement Referendum will not only result in significant improvements to 29schools throughout Berkeley County. It will also enable five new schools to be built in areas that are currently underserved.

Right now, we have students riding in a bus for an hour each way to and from school. For example, students from the Cainhoy community get on the bus at 5:30 a.m. to travel to Hanahan High School. That is time away from learning and homework.

The School Improvement Referendum will change all this for the better. Its passing will provide our kids with safer schools, smaller class sizes, no trailers, more high tech learning and the better teaching that comes from working in better facilities benefits our children and our community.

On Election Day, we urge you to join us in voting YES for the School Improvement Referendum. It's at the end of the ballot. So even if you vote straight party ticket, you’ve got to look for it. Please find it, and vote YES. 

Bishop Johnie Johnson, Pastor Calvary GOGIC (Goose Creek)

Rev. Leornard Griffin, Goose Creek Resident

Richard Harkness, Pastor, Moncks Corner A.M.E. Church

Minister Kenny Johnson, President, Goose Creek Concerned Citizens

Rev. Srephen L. Love, Pastor, New Hope United Methodist Church

(UMC), & Steward Chapel UMC (Cainhoy/Huger Area)

Rev. Joe McNeil, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church (Goose Creek)

Rev. Virginia Stafford, Pastor, Grove Hall UMC (Moncks Corner)

Rev. Mae Taylor, Pastor, Joshua UMC (Strawberry)