School Bond Referendum

September 1 District presentation

District representatives connected the proposed facilities work to recent academic growth and expanding student programs. They described the referendum as an opportunity to add Fine Arts and Career and Technical Education space while repurposing existing rooms for cybersecurity, welding, art, and other instruction.

Academic and program results presented by the District

• McCormick Middle School received its first Excellent rating on the South Carolina school report card
• The Middle School received the Education Oversight Committee’s Beating the Odds recognition and a Silver Flag from the South Carolina Department of Education
• Middle-school English language arts proficiency increased from 39.2% to more than 50%
• Algebra proficiency increased from 15.4% to 54.05%
• Biology proficiency increased from 22.4% to 45.24%
• The District’s CTE journalism and broadcasting team won first place statewide
• The Magnet School of the Arts for grades 8–12 doubled enrollment during its first year
• The District is expanding its cybersecurity program and related partnerships

These results are included to reflect the District’s explanation for the proposal. McCormick First has not independently reviewed the underlying assessment data, award documentation, or program-enrollment records.

What is being proposed?

The School District states that the proposed referendum totals $18.5 million. During the September 1 presentation, representatives provided the following more detailed description of the work:

• A new wing attached to McCormick High School—not a separate building
• A new auditorium for performances
• A culinary arts laboratory
• A new band and dance room
• Flexible space for the Magnet School of the Arts and other programs
• Conversion of the current band room into a cybersecurity classroom
• Expanded art classrooms
• Repurposing of existing building-construction space for a welding pathway
• Renovation of additional existing classroom spaces

Will the referendum increase taxes?

The School District describes the proposal as a “zero tax increase referendum.” According to the District, it plans to issue general obligation bonds over 20 years and structure repayment so the projects can be funded without increasing the current tax rate.

This description concerns the District’s proposed tax-rate structure. McCormick First has not yet reviewed the final bond resolution, repayment schedule, projected debt-service millage, assessed-value assumptions, or other supporting financial documents needed to independently evaluate that projection.

When and who can vote?

The referendum is scheduled for the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The District’s presentation identified October 19–31 as the early-voting period. All registered voters in McCormick County are eligible to participate, subject to the usual voting options and eligibility rules.

Questions for the School District

The District provided a dedicated email address for community questions about the referendum: bonds2026@csv1.org.

Community information sessions

The School District says these remaining sessions will provide information about the proposed projects and plans to expand Career and Technical Education and Fine Arts opportunities. The September 9 Parent University session is open to parents, community members, and other interested citizens and will address what the referendum could mean for the community, schools, and students.

View all community meetings →

Questions and documents to follow

• The exact referendum question that will appear on the ballot
• The final project scope, construction estimates, and contingency allowances
• The proposed bond resolution, term, interest assumptions, and repayment schedule
• The current and projected debt-service millage
• The assumptions supporting the “zero tax increase” description
• What would happen if bids, interest rates, or project costs exceed current estimates
• The construction timeline and process for public progress reporting

McCormick First’s role

McCormick First is not recommending a “yes” or “no” vote. We will work to distinguish District statements from independently documented facts, post official materials when available, and help residents ask informed questions before voting.