The Pickens County School District Board of Trustees on Oct. 27 approved the FY2026–27 column of a five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) totaling $31,600,000, administration said. The plan will be funded with the issuance of new capital improvement bonds, refunded bond proceeds and unused prior capital balances, officials said.

Director Matt Owens presented the plan and described the FY2026–27 allocations by program: about 57% of the FY2026–27 column is allocated to innovation and growth projects (including Gateway to Innovation final allocations, Central Academy of the Arts design work and field-house design), roughly 26.7% to facility maintenance (roofs, HVAC system design and proactive electrical panel and elevator replacement planning) and approximately 14% to technology (network infrastructure, teacher/student devices, and safety/security equipment). The student-activity portion includes fine-arts funding and maintenance of athletic facilities.

Owens told trustees the proposed FY2026–27 column of $31.6 million is an amount administration is recommending for approval; the remaining four years in the plan are planning-level estimates intended for future discussion. He said the plan would not require a tax increase and that bond issuance fees are projected at approximately 0.64% of the issuance. Board members asked about specific items — including completion of 4K classroom pods, a small performance space at Central Academy of the Arts, a McKissick Academy of Science and Technology 'Shark Tank' experience upgrade, and roofing/HVAC projects — and staff answered with design/current-estimate-level detail. Owens said the FY2026–27 estimates are based on vendor and contractor conversations, but the district had not put the projects out to bid.

The board voted to approve the FY2026–27 CIP column in the amount of $31,600,000 by voice/hand vote.