Yes 4 Schools Video Upsets Opponents

If the supporters of a school district bond referendum were hoping a new four minute video would go viral, two columns of newspaper ink suggest its at least getting attention.

On Nov. 6, Berkeley County voters will decide whether to support a $198 million bond referendum to build five new schools; provide major renovations at Goose Creek High, Stratford High and Marrington Middle; and other improvements to more than two dozen schools across the district.

Yes 4 Schools, the independent group supporting the referendum, created the video that has group leader Jane Pulling making the argument for the referendum. The issues she brings up in the video are similar to the comments she made at the Yes 4 Schools launch earlier this month in front of 16 trailers on the Stratford campus.

On Saturday, a reporter from Post and Courier's Brenda Rindge reported on the video's release. Board member Donna Marino complained that it was sent to her district email address. She questioned the district's involvement and said that certain unspecified claims in the video are exaggerated.

Referendum opponent Joshua Whitley has filed a Freedom of Information Act regarding district involvement. Superintendent Rodney Thompson noted the district wasn't involved in producing or distributing the video and is leaving the campaigning to Yes 4 Schools.

That's not all. Columnist Brian Hicks returned to the issue Sunday. He reiterated Marino's concerns, Thompson's denial and the question of what's worse — the conditions Pulling describes in the video or the conditions the schools will be left in if the referendum fails.

What do you think of the condition of our area schools? Is the referendum the answer? Share your comments below.