Voters can weigh in tonight on Aiken County sales tax, school upgrades

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s time for Aiken County voters to decide how tax dollars will be spent in the school district.

A meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday at Silver Bluff High School for voters to weigh in on what the priorities should be if a sales tax is renewed for school improvements.

Back in 2014, voters approved a 10-year 1% sales tax to help fund reconstruction of Aiken High, North Augusta High, Leavelle-McCampbell Middle, Ridge Spring-Monetta’s K-12 campus and the career center.

This November, voters will have the opportunity to consider a renewal of the sales tax to fund a new set of school campus renovations and improvements.

“North Augusta High School is a prime example, going from a 50-plus-year-old facility that was in serious need of renovations,” said Aiken County Superintendent King Laurence.

It’s all made possible with that sales tax voters said yes to in 2014. Other projects include Aiken High’s auditorium and a new Ridge Spring Monetta K-12 school.

“Nearly $200 million has been raised in the last 10 years,” said Laurence.

Time is running out on the current 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 Laurence.

Aiken County school leaders have a list of 12 projects up for consideration, from North Augusta Middle School to Paul Knox Middle School and South Aiken High School.

“You look at the growth in the Midland Valley area, the growth in the North Augusta area, the infrastructure upgrades that are happening throughout North Augusta and Aiken County. I think it’s important for them to want to see that same growth and that same infrastructure improvement in our schools,” said Laurence.

Now, school leaders want your input.

“People want to be heard, and we want to be listen to. So, you know, we kind of sent out a survey,” said Laurence. “I think we would have gotten as much information as we get this way, but what we don’t get is that personal connection, and somehow to hear people stand up and hear the emotion with the ion that they have for their school, and that resonates with people.”

The first meeting was Monday night at North Augusta Middle School.

Teachers and the principal showed up to share their concerns with the current school and receive funding for upgrades.

“Bring us up to the modern age,” said North Augusta Middle School Principal Kimbra Meek.

The main part of the school was built in the 1950′s and first served as North Augusta High School. Now, teachers have safety concerns with the doors, windows and how students travel outside to get to classes. Other involved the building having A/C and heating issues.

“We listen to what the what the students concerns are because one of the teachers actually said that, you know, we can say these things we can talk about our concerns about it, but it takes them to a new level when they hear their students saying the same thing,” said Laurence.

If you want to share your input, click here.

If you missed Monday’s meeting, there will be another meeting on Thursday at Silver Bluff High School at 6 p.m.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.