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Will $263 million school construction plan win key endorsement?

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A public forum this week will play a big role in determining whether the League of Women Voters of Hilton Head Island will give a nod of approval to a $162.7 million school-building plan that goes before voters this month.

Beaufort County School District officials and members of LowCountry KidsFirst, a citizens' organization recruited by the district to promote the referendum, will sit on the panel Wednesday. The league will provide panelists with questions in advance.

Sally McGarry, league vice president, said the district needs to show that it will manage taxpayers' money responsibly. Past administrations have not been able to prove that to the league, but things look promising this time around, she said.

"Already, we're very impressed with the new superintendent," McGarry said of Valerie Truesdale. "The Board of Education seems to be working well together."

League members will vote on whether to endorse the proposal. The organization did not take a position on the district's 2006 referendum in which voters approved $44 million worth of school construction projects. If voters say yes to spending $162.7 million April 26, two new elementary schools and early learning centers will come to Bluffton.

The initial tax impact of the referendum would be $16 on an owner-occupied home assessed at $200,000. The initial impact on a commercial property or non owner-occupied home with the same assessment would be $24.

Joan Kinne-Shulman, league president, said while the forum will play a role in determining whether the organization supports the proposal, the group's main goal is to encourage the public to vote. District officials have expressed concern over poor turnout at informational meetings on the referendum and voter apathy over the past few months.

"People don't bother to vote for single items like that," Kinne-Shulman said. "They're just not thinking about that sort of thing."

John Williams, district spokesman, said the forum is an opportunity to spread information.

"An endorsement would be nice, but the main thing we're looking for is to share information with a large-based group," he said. "We may be speaking to a group of 100, but each of them may go home and talk to a spouse or a friend or a neighbor."

According to Williams, both the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton and Greater Beaufort chambers of commerce have endorsed the proposal.

IF YOU GO:

What: Public forum on the Beaufort County School District's $162.7 million referendum, hosted by The League of Women Voters of Hilton Head Island

When/Where: 7 p.m., Public Service District conference room, Oak Park Drive, Hilton Head Island

Panelists: Chris Poe, district director of facilities; Phyllis White, assistant superintendent for finance; Mary Briggs, academic improvement officer; Fred Washington, board of education chairman; and Nancy Gilley, co-chairwoman of LowCountry KidsFirst

THE REFERENDUM

If approved by voters April 26, the $162.7 million referendum will pay for:

NEW CONSTRUCTION

• Bluffton-area elementary school: $22.4 million, to open in 2010

• Bluffton-area middle school: $25.5 million, to open in 2012

• Early learning centers at M.C. Riley and Bluffton elementary schools: $10.1 million each

LAND

• For Bluffton-area elementary: $5.9 million

• For Bluffton-area middle school: $14.8 million

• For Lady's Island elementary school: $1.9 million

• For Bluffton high school: $20.7 million

ADDITIONS AND UPGRADES

• 650-seat auditorium at Beaufort High: $9.7 million

• Gym at Broad River Elementary: $2 million

• Replace gym and add classrooms at Mossy Oaks Elementary: $2.5 million

• Upgrade band and drama room at H.E. McCracken Middle School: $373,000

RENOVATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS

• $36 million spread among schools districtwide

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