Yes Votes Leading On New South Kingstown High School, Athletic Fields Question

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — With 100 percent of the precincts reported, the yes votes are leading for a ballot question in South Kingstown on a $150 million school bond referendum to pay for a new high school and athletic facility.

As of 10 p.m., the only votes missing from the count are mail-in votes. Votes in favor of the school bond lead the no votes 4,218-3,508, according to unofficial election results.

With the referendum likely passing, South Kingstown will demolish the existing high school on the same site at Columbia Street and School Street. School officials said the new high school would be smaller to reflect current enrollment and will have an estimated useful life of 50 years. The plan calls for a 143,000-square-foot school, while the existing building is 234,900 square feet.

According to school officials, the new high school will feature new instructional technology, flexible space for enhanced "new century" teaching, science labs, career and technical education studios, improved security, high efficiency HVAC systems, and more.

The athletic complex portion of the project calls for the demolition of the now closed Curtis Corner Middle School to make room for the field. Features of the project include a new field, bleachers, upgraded parking, site walkways, and roadways, and new pickleball courts.

See more details about the proposed school project here.

Property Tax Impact

Assuming an interest rate of 3.5 percent, and a 20-year term on the bond, town officials estimate homeowners with houses worth the median value of $468,300 will see their property tax bill increase by $318. Town officials said this increase would be phased in over several years.

A breakdown of the tax impact can be found on the town's website.

Unofficial Election Results

One hundred percent of precincts have reported, but mail-in ballots have not yet been counted.

Shall an act, passed at the 2024 session of the General Assembly, entitled "An act authorizing the Town of South Kingstown to issue not to exceed $150,000,000 general obligation bonds and notes to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, furnishing and equipping of a new high school, athletic facility, and other school facilities in the town and all expenses incident thereto, including, but not limited to, costs of design, demolition, athletic fields, landscaping, parking and all attendant expenses, including engineering, architectural and other project-related consulting costs' be approved?"

• Yes — 4,218
• No — 3,508.

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