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Dorchester District 2 board approves amended educational sales-tax referendum resolution to prioritize school capital projects
Summary
The Dorchester District 2 Board of Trustees voted June 22 to approve an amended resolution asking the county to place a one-cent educational sales tax referendum on the ballot, sending a prioritized project list that includes a new middle school site and major high-school renovations to county council for final decisions on term and revenue split.
The Dorchester District 2 Board of Trustees on June 22 approved an amended resolution asking the county to consider a one-cent educational sales tax and accepted a prioritized list of capital projects to present to county council.
Superintendent Mr. Doughty outlined the district’s project list, which proposes design and construction of a new middle school near Delmar Highway (the district is in the process of purchasing about 50 acres), major renovations at Summerville High School and Fort Dorchester High School, expansions at Ashley Ridge High School, upgrades at Austin, DeBakey and Gregg middle schools, districtwide roof and HVAC replacements, replacement of school buses, playground and lighting upgrades, and other facility needs.
Ms. Bates, presenting committee recommendations, described regulation and process improvements to ensure more timely responses and clearer documentation; the board then debated the structure and duration of the proposed sales tax before amending the resolution to strike any reference to specific time periods. Mr. Lee said the list represents only a portion of the district’s needs, noting, “our outstanding capital needs are probably somewhere north of $600 to $750 million currently in the district.” Mr. Doughty responded that that estimate is correct.
Board members emphasized the list is a prioritized “phase one,” not an exhaustive inventory, and that county council will determine the ballot language, the split between districts and the number of years the tax would run. Several members argued a local-option sales tax shifts some cost to visitors and consumer purchases and can reduce reliance on property-tax-funded debt service.
The amended resolution (which removed references to specified years) was moved and seconded, then approved by a 6–0 vote with one member absent. If the board’s packet is transmitted to county council, council must then set the ballot language and determine the split between Dorchester districts before any referendum proceeds. The board plans to present the project list to county council on July 6.
Next steps include county council consideration of the district’s project list and a final decision on the tax’s term and revenue split before voters would decide whether to adopt the tax.
