Dorchester 2 Superintendent: 'We've Had Enough'

Hundreds gathered in the sweltering gym of Rollings Middle School this week to kickoff the campaign for Dorchester County School District Two's school bond referendum.

Co-chairs for the Yes4Schools committee and the district superintendent spoke to the amiable crowd. The referendum is a $179-million referendum, which would raise taxes on homeowners.

According to district Chief Financial Officer Allyson Duke, a referendum in this amount would create an increase of $84 on a $100,000 house and $25 on a $20,000 car in the county. 

According to Dorchester County Auditor J.J. Messervy, an owner-occupied home in the limits of Summerville currently pays $685.20 per $100,000, adjusted with property tax relief but not including fees. A non-owner-occupied home in town pays $2,095.20 per $100,000, adjusted with property tax relief but not including fees.

The purpose of the referendum is to build new schools and repair existing schools. Click here to read the referendum in its entirety. The committee made the case that schools are overcrowded and rundown.

"We've had enough of it," Superintendent Joe Pye said. "This is (the community's referendum), this is their referendum for their children." 

Pye cited a ceiling collapse last year where children were in the building just hours before it happened. He also cited the unbearably hot temperatures many school gymnasiums have. 

According to the speakers, Dorchester Two's students have thrived in spite of dilapidated conditions and poor facilities.

"As wonderful as (our district) has been, we have also been able to observe the difficulties," co-chair Robby Robbins said. "What we're talking about today is buildings — basic needs ... The more information you can give (voters), the more you can turn their vote for school improvement."

Co-chair Brian Mitchum closed the event:

"Imagine: it's five years from now. People have moved into the county, the economy is thriving and there's no new schools," Mitchum said.