Penny sales tax could bring improvements to Aiken County schools
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Community are weighing in on a proposed one percent sales tax for the Aiken County School District.
10 years ago, people approved the tax to help fund projects like Aiken High School, North Augusta High School and Ridge-Spring Monetta’s campus.
School leaders are hosting the first of five public meetings to discuss the big decision to make in November — whether to continue a 1% sales tax to raise money for local schools.
In May, school leaders asked for from parents on the sales tax.
“This is just a renewal. There won’t be any additions, nothing will change on anybody’s grocery bill or anything else or any purchases that they make. This would just be a continuation of the penny,” said Former Aiken County Public School Superintendent King Laurence.
District officials say the 1% tax will give them $285 million to work with.
They hope to address issues with existing schools like Silver Bluff, North Augusta Middle, and South Aiken High, which haven’t been touched in decades.
“Focus on learning, they are not focusing on infestation, or leaks in the roof, or the air conditioner not working, so we want to make the kids comfortable we want to make it an inviting space, we want to make it a safe space,” says Dr. Corey Murphy, superintendent of Aiken County School Distrct. “If we can get all of those things, the kids can focus on the structure, they can focus on learning.”
The sales tax will also be a major boost to four schools and a new addition in Area 3.
“You have to go inside the school buildings and spend time in them to understand why it is needed,” said Allison Brittain, a parent in Aiken County.
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The first meeting was Tuesday night at Silver Bluff High School.
People at the meeting said they are not completely sold on the plan, especially when it comes to some schools being left out.
“I think this is a critical issue for Aiken County,” said Andrew Hendrix, a former Aiken County school parent.
Hendrix says he believes student and teacher quality life begins in the schools.
“We’ve got to continue to our schools, provide outstanding facilities for our students and teachers and really increase the curb appeal for people moving into the area,” said Hendrix.
The school district says that’s why it’s looking to pick up where they left off 10 years ago.
“Before 2014, it had been 40 years since we’ve had a successful referendum or sales tax for Aiken County Public Schools, so with more than 40 campuses and 40 years without local funding there are significant needs,” said Merry Glenne Piccolino, a spokesperson for Aiken County Public Schools.
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The school district is looking to focus its funding on five major projects across the district.
However, many parents say that’s not enough and that there are some schools, like Greendale Elementary, that have major leaking problems.
“Some of these buildings literally have trash cans that are put in their hallways to catch water,” said Brittain.
The school district says the Graniteville area has seen a lot of growth recently. To help prevent overcrowding at elementary schools, they are going to build a new one if approved by voters.
The school would be built to accommodate around 750 students.
Hendrix says he understands some parents’ frustrations but trusts that things will get better over time.
“You can’t do every school all at the same time, and it’s tough if your school is on the contingency list or not on the list at all, but I trust that the district has prioritized the schools that are in the toughest situations, and they are going to work to continue to get to the other ones,” said Hendrix.
This is the first of four other public meetings the district is hosting for you to weigh your opinions on.
This decision will be up to your vote on the ballot in November, and if it gets ed the tax will resume in March.
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Here’s a list of the times and locations of the remaining public meetings:
- September 9: 6:30 p.m. at Ridge Spring Monetta Middle High
- September 17: 6:00 p.m. at South Aiken High School
- October 15: 6:00 p.m. at North Augusta Middle School
- October 28: 6:00 p.m. at Midland Valley High School
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