Lexington School District 5 advances bond financing and targeted construction plan; board discusses $80M authorization

The Lexington County School District Five Board of Trustees on Dec. 9 reviewed plans to issue referendum debt and to prioritize construction projects intended to address capacity and program needs.

Superintendent David Ross outlined a phased approach that would isolate projects requiring outside construction management — notably a new Dutch Fork Elementary School, wings at Chapin and Lake Murray elementary schools, and relocation of three programs to the Richland Education Center — while keeping some rehabilitation work in‑house to protect the referendum budget. Ross said the administration will solicit construction‑management firms for only the highest‑need projects rather than authorize a fixed percentage of the entire referendum amount, which the administration said…