Batesburg-Leesville, SC - The Lexington County School District Three Board of Trustees is pursuing a bond referendum in the November 2020 presidential election.
Two questions will be on the ballot.
1. The first question, if approved by voters, will allow Lexington County School District Three to borrow up to $50 million dollars in general obligation bonds to fund renovations at B-L Primary, B-L Elementary and B-L High Schools. 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. Improvements at the schools would include:
B-L 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
B-L Elementary School
● New roofing system
● New HVAC system
B-L 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
2. The second question is contingent upon the first question passing and, if approved by voters, would allow Lexington County School District Three to borrow up to $15 million dollars in general obligation bonds to finance the costs of constructing and equipping a new media center at B-L Primary School and a new competition gym at B-L High School. In order for Lexington Three to borrow these additional funds, voters must not only approve this question, but they must also approve Question #1. 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. The current millage levy dedicated to Debt Service in Lexington County School District Three is 84.6 mills. If this question is approved, the millage levy would increase in Lexington County School District Three to 108 mills. Detailed information regarding tax implications for residents and business owners can be found by visiting www.lex3.org and looking under the Bond Referendum tab at the top of the page.
Lexington Three wants to ensure that community members have an opportunity to learn more about how the district’s Board of Trustees reached the decision to pursue a referendum and ask questions about the referendum. As a result, two public meetings are planned. Both meetings will be held at the Lexington Three Fine Arts Center (located on the campus of B-L High School/600 Summerland Avenue in Batesburg-Leesville). Participants will be required to wear a mask and are asked to please follow all social distancing guidelines.
Meeting Dates and Times: October 13th at 6 pm October 27th at 6 pm
