Hampton Co. voters to decide on $29M school bond for athletic complex, learning spaces

HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Hampton County voters will decide next week if the school district will get more money to expand its high school campus.

Voters approved a bond referendum to build a new high school four years ago. In one week, voters are being asked again to help expand the school’s campus.

If approved, the school district would gain $29 million to be used on three projects.

That includes completing the athletic complex at the high school, a new agriculture program greenhouse, and an alternative learning center.

Some people, including a former county councilman who last served eight years ago, are for it if it means helping the younger generation.

“The children are the future, the schools are the future, and whatever it takes to keep this community growing and growing is important,” Hampton County resident Isaac Smith said. “If it costs a few dollars more on y’all’s tax bills, so be it. As long as the kids, children, and future benefit.”

According to the district, the bond would be paid over 25 years, and the debt-service tax rate would increase from 44 mills to 79 mills.

If it rises, for example, an owner of a home valued at $100,000 would have to pay an extra $140 annually.

But some parents still question why they have to vote on another referendum after just passing one in 2022.

“We already pay high enough taxes in this county, and the school and county should’ve already had that payment included when they built the school instead of now trying to force us to pay for it,” Hampton County parent Michelle Monahan said.

She believes there are better ways to get the money.

“I feel like we could do better for our kids by just doing it all in the grand scheme of things instead of putting it on the taxpayers when we’ve already paid so much in,” Monahan said. “We’ve paid so much already. Where did that money go, and why wasn’t it implemented when they first built the school instead of jumping on the gun to build the school without that being there?”

Early voting in South Carolina ends October 31st. Election Day is November 3rd.

According to the Hampton County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, 11,003 people are registered to vote in Hampton County.

Government officials say as of Monday, October 26, 1,934 had voted already.

If you have questions about your polling place or want to see a sample ballot, click here.