A Beaufort County school referendum that the public could support
Citizens Advocating Responsible Education (CARE) is proposing a compromise on the Beaufort County School District referendum issue.
We strongly believe that our compromise addresses the three most important issues — school overcrowding, rezoning and asset preservation (roof repairs/replacements and HVAC upgrades).
At the same time, we believe that if our compromise were adopted, it would have a very good chance of being approved by the voters.
CARE’s proposal:
▪ Purchase or lease portable classrooms for the schools where there is, in fact, overcrowding. Estimated cost: $5 million.
▪ Roof replacements/repairs and HVAC upgrades. Estimated cost: $37 million.
These actions will address the most pressing needs while affording the school board time to reassess its long-term growth projections and specific needs. Community members should also be involved in this process.
The purchase or lease of mobile classrooms will not require any rezoning.
CARE’s support for this $42 million referendum would be conditioned on the resignation of Superintendent Jeff Moss. Moss conceded at a recent First Monday Republican Lunch Group meeting that trust was a factor in last November’s referendum defeat. Moss and the school board have done nothing to begin the process of restoring public trust. The only way that any referendum could pass is for Moss to step down.
We hope that all members of the school board will keep an open mind as a decision draws near, and we also urge community members to join us in this effort to provide the very best education we can to more than 22,000 students.
Richard Bisi
Hilton Head Island
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This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 12:43 PM with the headline "A Beaufort County school referendum that the public could support."