Safer schools. Room to learn. A countywide effort to improve our schools.
On Tuesday, November 3, Dorchester County voters can invest in our children's future by saying Yes for Schools — building new facilities and upgrading existing ones to make our schools safer, more up to date and less crowded.
Two ways to vote Yes
Oct. 19 – Oct. 31
Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday. Vote at any early voting center in Dorchester County — bring your photo ID.Tuesday, Nov. 3
Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at your assigned precinct. The school question is the last one on your ballot.Not registered yet? Register at scvotes.gov — the deadline falls in early October.
dedicated to tax relief
Better schools. Lower property taxes.
The ballot question requires each district to spend ten percent of its share paying down school bond debt it already owes. Retiring that debt early reduces the debt service millage — the school portion of the property tax bill — for every property owner in the district, whether or not there are children in the house. The other ninety percent goes straight into the school projects listed below.
Current sales tax rates
Dorchester County's existing rate is lower than both neighboring counties.
Read What’s on the Ballot.
Here is the referendum language voters will see on the ballot.
Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax Act Referendum for Dorchester County
Must a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in Dorchester County for not more than fifteen (15) calendar years with the revenue of the tax, as allocated below, used to pay, directly or indirectly, the cost of the following education capital improvement projects in Dorchester County — 85% to Dorchester School District Two and 15% to Dorchester School District Four; and within each district's allocation, 10% used to provide property tax relief by reducing the existing debt service millage levy for that district's existing general obligation bond debt, and 90% to pay the costs of that district's education capital improvement projects listed below?
The full project lists appear on the ballot and are printed below under The projects. Source: Dorchester County Council Resolution 26-07, adopted August 3, 2026.
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100%
stays in Dorchester County. Every dollar goes to the school projects listed on the ballot — not to the state, not to another county.
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15
years maximum, then it ends on schedule. It can't be extended without another vote of the people.
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85/15
split of the revenue: 85% to District Two, 15% to District Four, as agreed by both school boards.
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10%
of each district's share goes to lowering property taxes by paying down existing school bond debt.
Our schools get upgraded. With a YES vote for Schools.
These projects are written into the ballot question itself. Not a wish list, not a promise made in a press release: the specific work at the specific schools our kids walk into every morning.
District Two projects
Summerville, Ladson, North Charleston and the surrounding communities.
- New school constructionDesign, construct and equip a new school or schools in the southern and northwestern parts of the district, generally near Highway 61 and Delemar Highway (SC-165).
- Summerville High SchoolDesign, renovate, construct and equip academic space, fine arts, outdoor athletic facilities and CTE programs.
- Fort Dorchester High SchoolDesign, renovate, construct and equip academic space, fine arts, outdoor athletic facilities and CTE programs.
- Ashley Ridge High SchoolDesign, renovate, construct, equip and expand academic space, fine arts, outdoor athletic facilities and CTE programs.
- Alston Middle SchoolDesign, renovate and equip.
- DuBose Middle SchoolDesign, renovate, construct, equip and expand.
- Gregg Middle SchoolDesign, renovate and equip.
- Roof repair and replacementAt multiple school facilities across the district.
- HVAC, equipment and furnitureReplace and install at multiple school facilities.
- School busesReplace special-education buses, general-education buses and activity buses.
- PlaygroundsRenovate, construct and equip at multiple school facilities.
- Flooring and lightingRenovate at multiple school facilities.
- Capital maintenance and technologyOngoing maintenance plus technology replacement and upgrades at district facilities.
District Four projects
St. George, Ridgeville, Harleyville and the surrounding communities.
- New Ridgeville schoolBuild a new combined elementary/middle school in the Ridgeville area to replace the existing school.
- New St. George elementary schoolBuild a new elementary school in the St. George area to replace the existing school.
- Woodland High School — instructionNew additions and facility upgrades for instructional programs.
- Woodland High School — athleticsConstruct a new fieldhouse and complete facility upgrades.
- Clay Hill ElementaryAdd portables to absorb growth during construction of the new school, and modify classrooms for students ages three to six.
- Harleyville ElementaryConvert offices into classrooms and complete facility upgrades.
- District officeModify classrooms to accommodate career and technical programming.
Learn more from both school districts.
Visit each district’s website for additional information about its November 3 proposal, planned projects and answers to common questions.
Our kids get one shot at school.
The buildings they spend that time in have to be ready.
Give our kids room to learn
Dorchester County is growing fast, and classrooms are filling up faster than we can build them. Voting yes adds classroom space, builds new schools and expands the ones we have — so children learn in a real classroom instead of a crowded portable.
Make every school safe and sound
Security upgrades at the front door. Roofs that don't leak over a classroom. Air conditioning that works in August. Safe buses for the ride to school. Parents shouldn't have to wonder whether the building their child spends all day in is up to the job.
Shoppers from outside the county help pay
School officials estimate that about 60 cents of every dollar collected comes from people who live outside Dorchester County — commuters, shoppers and visitors who use our roads and stores but pay none of our property taxes. Groceries are exempt under state law.
Lower property taxes at the same time
A dime of every dollar each district receives has to go toward paying down school debt we already owe, which lowers the school portion of local property tax bills. It's the rare school measure that improves buildings and reduces a tax at once.
Invest in what our county becomes
Modern classrooms, updated technology and career and technical training are what young families look for and what employers ask about first. Building them now protects home values, draws good jobs to Dorchester County, and keeps our children close enough to raise their own here.
Straight answers.
Where does the money actually go?
Into school buildings in Dorchester County — and nowhere else. State law dedicates this revenue to the capital projects listed on the ballot: new schools, renovations, roofs, HVAC, buses, playgrounds, safety and security. It cannot be moved to the state, to another county, or to any other use.
Does this raise my property taxes?
No — it lowers them. Ten percent of each district's share must be used to pay down existing general obligation bond debt, which reduces the debt service millage. That millage is currently 65 mills in District Two and 51 mills in District Four, and it is the only school tax an owner-occupied home pays. Use the estimator above to see roughly what that means on your own home and vehicle. The remaining 90% funds school construction and repairs that would otherwise compete for local property tax dollars.
How long does the tax last?
No more than 15 years. If approved, collection begins on the first day of the fourth full month after the election results are certified, and it ends under state law. Extending it would require a new referendum — another vote by the people of Dorchester County.
Who pays it?
Everyone who makes a taxable purchase in Dorchester County — and school officials estimate roughly 60 cents of every dollar comes from people who live somewhere else. Groceries are exempt under state law, and other purchases receive special treatment, so check with the S.C. Department of Revenue on how a specific purchase is taxed.
Both school districts are covered?
Yes. This is a countywide question covering Dorchester School District Two and Dorchester School District Four. Both school boards passed resolutions agreeing to the 85/15 split before the county placed it on the ballot.
What happens if it fails?
The needs don't go away. Roofs still leak, HVAC units still fail, buses still age out, and enrollment keeps growing. Those costs fall back on local property taxpayers — without the help of visitors and out-of-county shoppers.
Where do I find this on my ballot?
The school question is the last one on your ballot. Vote YES on the Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax question. For registration, early voting and polling place information, contact the Dorchester County Board of Voter Registration and Elections.
How to Help Improve Schools
Referendums are decided by who shows up — and our kids can't vote. Sign up and we'll tell you when early voting opens, drop off a yard sign, and send you something you can text to five friends.
Put a sign in your yard
The most persuasive thing on your street is a name your neighbors recognize. Signs are free.
Talk to five people
Your barber, your Sunday school class, the folks at the ball field. Tell them the school question is last on the ballot and why you're voting yes.
Bring someone to vote
Early voting or Election Day — offer a ride to a neighbor who needs one. That's how referendums are won.
Invite us to speak
We'll come to your civic club, congregation, HOA or PTA meeting with the project list and answer every question.