From staff reports
United Way of the Lowcountry announced in a press release Tuesday, Oct. 31, it is in support of the upcoming $439 million Beaufort County School District (BCSD) bond referendum, which will be on the ballot Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.
“This referendum is a critical step towards advancing education quality, enhancing school safety, and accommodating the future workforce needs of our growing community,” the press release reads.
“Investing in education is essential to creating a more self-sufficient Beaufort County. When our children have access to high-quality education, they are better equipped to succeed in school and in life,” the release, continues. “They are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and secure good-paying jobs. A strong education system is also essential to attracting and retaining businesses, which creates better jobs and boosts our local economy. The bottom line: an investment in our schools benefits us all.”
According to United Way of the Lowcountry, the bond referendum addresses several key objectives that will help create a more self-sufficient Beaufort County:
Academic enhancement: The bond funding will elevate the educational experience for our students by modernizing and expanding educational facilities to better align with 21st-century learning needs.
School safety: The safety of our students is a top priority. The bond referendum will allocate resources to enhance safety at all schools district-wide.
Workforce needs: Beaufort County is projected to continue growing at a robust rate for the foreseeable future. This bond will fund the addition, rebuilding, and replacement of aging school facilities to accommodate this growth and enable the community to better meet future workforce needs. In particular, the bond will expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) facilities to better meet the needs of high-demand sectors
“We urge all residents, business leaders, and stakeholders to exercise their civic duty and vote ‘yes’ for the BSCD Bond Referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023,” the United Way says in the release. “A successful referendum will shape the future of Beaufort County and play a pivotal role in ensuring a robust education system that meets the needs of our students and our workforce, and helps create a more self-sufficient community for all.”
