Beaufort County School Bond Referendum (2019)

For the first time in 11 years, Beaufort County voters passed a school bond referendum, approving $345 million to rebuild Robert Smalls International Academy, expand May River High School and River Ridge Academy, as well as upgrade technology and security across the district. The measure passed with nearly 70 percent of the vote.

The SCCA, together with Beaufort Jasper County Association, Hilton Head Area Association of Realtors, and NAR, conducted a campaign asking voters to vote for the Beaufort Bond Referendum.

The referendum will help with:

• Improving school safety measures – Our school buildings need upgrades for the safety and security of students and staff. Secure schools help ensure a healthy, safe space for our children.

• Renovating or replacing aging facilities – Some schools are experiencing maintenance and structural problems due to their advanced age. Children can’t learn in unsafe, deteriorating schools. Classroom additions, a new building to replace Robert Smalls International Academy, and facility renovations will provide students and staff with safer, stronger schools.

• Adding classroom space to address enrollment growth – Enrollment has increased by more than 3,000 students in the past 11 years. Enrollment growth creates overcrowding, which stifles learning. Adding classroom space sets up a more productive learning environment for student success.

• Upgrading technology infrastructure in our schools – District-wide technology infrastructure upgrades will help schools prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce.

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