District presentation and bond-payment document
The following materials were provided by the McCormick County School District. The bond-payment document was reviewed at a School Board meeting by Mr. Loadholt. They are shared here as source materials; McCormick First has not independently verified the calculations or assumptions.
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
Official ballot question
The ballot question published through South Carolina’s election materials asks whether the School District should be empowered to issue one or more series of general-obligation bonds, in one or more years, in a principal amount not exceeding $18,500,000.
“The proceeds of which will be used to finance the costs (including architectural, engineering, legal and related fees) of the following capital improvement projects at the McCormick County Educational Complex: Constructing and equipping an auditorium; constructing and equipping additional classroom space for use as a band room, a culinary arts room and flexible space; renovating and equipping existing classrooms for use as a weight room, a cyber security room, an art room and a welding room; and constructing and equipping other improvements identified by the School District.”
Voters will choose Yes, In Favor of the Question or No, Opposed to the Question. This is the official ballot wording provided in the election materials, not a recommendation by McCormick First.
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
All referendum information sessions previously listed on this page have concluded. Check the School District’s website for any future meeting announcements.
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.