Anderson District 4’s facility plan on ballot

A proposed 10-year facility plan was announced this summer by Anderson District Four.

On Aug. 15, the Anderson County District Four Board of Trustees voted in a 5-0 vote to approve a $115 million bond referendum for the proposed Anderson School District 4 “Growing 4ward” 10Year Facility Plan.

A public referendum vote to approve the construction plan will take place on Nov. 7.

School enrollment has grown rapidly and classroom capacity will soon be exceeded according to a press release from Pendleton High School.

“The Growing 4ward Plan” proposes building a new Pendleton High School with a capacity of 1,200 students,” according to asd4growing4ward.com

Riverside Middle School will be relocated to the former Pendleton High School, Sixth grade students will move to the middle school, 200 seats will be added to Mt. Lebanon Elementary School and some elementary schools and athletic facilities will be upgraded.

“The Growing 4ward Plan” is critical to providing our children with adequate classroom space in which to learn,” stated Dee Christopher, Superintendent of Anderson District 4.

Here’s why Anderson District 4 wants 10-year expansion plan

Due to unprecedented growth in the area, Anderson School District 4 anticipates over 1,300 new students between 2022 and 2033.

Pendleton High School, Riverside Middle School and Mt. Lebanon Elementary School are expected to be at or above capacity by 2026-27.

In February 2022, the school board approved a ten-year facility plan to address facilities needs until 2032-2033.

The most recent United States Census data reports Anderson County’s estimated population in 2023 is 208,695, which represents a 0.8% increase from last year. Click here for more information

According to asd4growing4ward.com “Schools will have to redraw elementary attendance lines, build portable classroom additions to reduce overcrowding, freeze enrollment in certain grades in schools that are over capacity, and build new buildings to accommodate growth in the future.”

How Pendleton High School plans to raise money for proposed improvements

The project is expected to cost $148 million in total over the course of 10 years. Anderson District Four says “it plans to fund the project through bonds and other resources.” According to asd4growing4ward.com

Building plan projects can be funded with bonds sold by District Four. Annual property taxes are then used to repay

the bond debt over time.

Money from bond sales can be used to renovate and build new facilities, purchase new land, and purchase capital items such as equipment and new technology. However, bond money cannot be used to pay salary, payroll or fringe benefits.

According to asd4growing4ward.com “the plan is to sell 25year bonds over the next four years to pay for projects.”

What to know as an Anderson County voter

Registered voters in the district will decide whether to approve the sale of bonds in a bond referendum. Polls will be open on Nov. 7, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here for more information.

Anderson County school board approved the referendum on August 14, for $115 million dollars.

If the bond referendum is passed. Local option sales tax funds approved by voters will be used to reduce District 4 debt service each year.

According to asd4growing4ward.com if the bill is not passed, “District Four will make limited upgrades and repairs to existing buildings using available funding.” “The most critical safety and maintenance upgrades will need to be completed with other funding sources.”

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.