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McCormick schools propose $18.5M performing-arts and career-technical bond; officials say no tax increase planned under current levy
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Henry told the board the district's facilities plan includes a proposed $18.5 million (possibly up to $20 million) bond referendum to add a 380-seat auditorium, arts spaces and career-technical labs; officials said the plan is structured as general-obligation bonds over 25 years and presented as not requiring a millage increase under current debt-service levies.
The McCormick County School District presented a facilities and finance plan to the board that would add a performing-arts wing, vocational labs and career-pathway classrooms via a bond referendum estimated at $18.5 million (board members said it could be stated "not to exceed $20 million"). Superintendent Dr. Henry said the proposal would be financed as general-obligation bonds issued annually and paid over 25 years with the district's existing debt-service mills.
"The estimated cost for this is $18.5 million. I think it may end up saying something not to exceed 20 million. But this again this would be with no tax increase," Dr. Henry said, explaining the district's plan to issue bonds within the current levy structure rather than seek a millage change for bond repayment.
The proposed capital package would add a 380-seat auditorium (with room for about 120 more onstage), dedicated band, art and theater spaces for the magnet arts program, culinary arts facilities, welding and other lab-based vocational classrooms, and a cybersecurity pathway. Board materials provided to council show an estimated total in the $18.5M'$20M range and envision design and procurement through a design-build contract to lock rates and include long-term maintenance.
Dr. Henry framed the bond as a way to support academic and workforce initiatives: the district said it saw the highest growth statewide on the SC Ready ELA assessment (grades 3'8) and top-three growth on math, and said teacher retention improved from about 68% to 91.4% this year.
Board members and financial presenters said the timeline would take roughly a year for design; if the referendum and approvals proceed on schedule, students could begin using some spaces in 2028. Officials said the plan is intended to be revenue-neutral for taxpayers under current debt-service calculations but acknowledged that future tax pressures or additional borrowing could change that outcome.
On the budget front, district budget staff told the board they based the proposed operating budget on the House Ways and Means revenue figures; initial projections showed roughly $12.3 million in combined county and state revenue and about $12.5 million in expenditures, leaving an approximately $120,000 gap the district plans to close before final readings. The district said it is not seeking a millage increase on the general operating budget.
What happens next: the board will finalize the package for a public-information campaign and, if approved by the board, present the bond question for voter consideration per the district's schedule and legal requirements.
