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Lexington Three proposes referendum to renovate schools, build new facilities

If approved by voters in November, the referendum would cover the costs of renovating three schools and build a new media center and gym for the school district.

BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. — Lexington School District Three will have public meetings within the next month to inform people about a referendum that will be voted on in November's election.

In 2016, the school district launched a study of all the district's owned facilities. Following the study, the district determined several buildings need to be renovated, with the top priorities focused on Batesburg-Leesville High School and Batesburg-Leesville Primary School.

In 2018,  the school district proposed a $90 million referendum to build a new Batesburg-Leesville High School and for renovations and additions to the Primary School but it did not pass.

The school district said on their website they have since been using its 8% burrowing capacity to help fix and renovate classrooms, air systems, playgrounds and stadium lighting at either the primary or high schools.

Back on August 11th, the Lexington School District Three Board of Trustees approved a plan for a bond referendum to appear on this upcoming election's ballot.

When voters head to the polls in November, they will see two questions on the ballot related to the school district.

RELATED: Lexington Three starts first day of school during pandemic

Renovations to Lexington Three Schools

The first question is in regards to renovating three of the schools in the district.

Lexington School District Three said in a press release if it was approved, it would allow them to borrow up to $50 million, "in general obligation bonds to fund renovations."

The upgrades would be used for Batesburg-Leesville Primary School, Batesburg-Leesville Elementary and Batesburg-Leesville High School.

The school district also said, "If this bond issue passes, residents and business owners can expect to have no millage increase which means no tax increase on any of their upcoming tax bills."

Here's what the plan would be for the upgrades for each school:

Batesburg-Leesville Primary School -

  • New Cafeteria/Kitchen
  • Major School Renovations including:
    • Repurposing of existing cafeteria/kitchen
    • Repurposing of guidance area
    • Repurposing of existing educational spaces
    • New fire alarm system
    • New sprinkler system
    • New LED lighting system
    • New flooring
    • New ceilings
    • New instructional spaces
    • Media Center improvements

Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School -

  • New roofing system
  • New HVAC system

Batesburg-Leesville High School -

  • Construction of a new 20,000 square foot building addition to include a new media center, band room, administration area, chorus room, entry canopy and secured entrance
  • Construction of a new 36,000 square foot Career and Technology Education wing
  • Major School Renovations including:
    • New roofing system
    • New HVAC system
    • Expansion of existing cafeteria
    • Repurposing of existing administration area
    • New flooring
    • New ceilings
    • New windows
    • New band practice field
    • New LED lighting system
    • New fire alarm system
    • New sprinkler system
    • New security system including cameras

New Media Center and Competition Gym

Depending on the first question passing by voters, the school district is also looking at building a new media center and competition gym.

If passed, it would allow Lexington School District Three to borrow up to $15 million in general obligation funds.

The new media center would be located at Batesburg-Leesville Primary School while the new gym would be at Batesburg-Leesville High School.

The school district said, "These proposed improvements would affect the portion of property taxes homeowners pay called Debt Service, which goes toward repaying money borrowed for such things as school construction and capital projects."

Lexington School District Three went on to say, "The current millage levy dedicated to Debt Service in Lexington County School District Three is 84.6 mills." If approved, that number would increase to 108 mills.

RELATED: How Lexington Three is handling in-person learning during the pandemic

To learn more about the school district's proposed referendum, Lexington School District Three is hosting two public meetings. One will be on October 13th and the other on October 27th. Both meetings will start at 6 pm and be at the Lexington Three Fine Arts Center located at the high school. People will be required to wear masks and need to practice social distancing.

Lexington School District Three has a tab on their website dedicated to the bond referendum. To get a more in depth look at the costs, how the millage would impact residents and business owners and how the district came to the decision, click here.

The election will be on November 3rd.

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