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Yes.

Rock Hill School District No. 3 of York County (the “School District”) has been advised by the State Election Commission that Executive Order 2020-09 issued by the Office of the Governor provides that “any election, to include special, county, and municipal elections, scheduled to be held in this State or conducted by an agency, department, or political subdivision thereof, on or before May 1, 2020, shall be postponed and rescheduled.”  As a result of this Executive Order, the School District’s bond referendum scheduled for March 31 has been postponed.  The School District will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Using a vehicle with a taxable assessed value of $25,000, this car would be a tax increase of $39.75/year or $3.31/month.

Future-ready learning is a focus of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, and the school system continues to provide advanced studies and coursework which offer personalized and blended learning relevant to a student’s career goals and graduation plan. Exposure to various careers and pathways through courses, academic programming, online college and career counseling are available to all students. Academics are aligned with the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, and the school system is working to increase opportunities to train and certify student through field-based experiences that prepare them for future-ready jobs, including business opportunities.

When comparing schools and districts, quality is a very subject matter.  Rankings can be based upon a variety of data points and are calculated using a series of statistical steps reporting such factors as student performance, student progress,  attendance, teacher employment and turnover, community factors, scholarships, stakeholder surveys, socioeconomic data, and other information. While there is no comprehensive way to measure what public schools are best in the nations, some national and state rankings look at such data including high school graduation rates and college readiness to determine which states have the best schools.  In a 2020, US News and World Report survey, SC was rated 41st in overall K-12  public school rankings “by state by population”. When compared to all of the 82 school districts in South Carolina, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø ranks in the top 32 school districts based upon student achievement.

In the modern learning environment, students are actively involved in constructing content and new ideas within learning that engages, is relevant, and provides purposeful activities for all students to succeed.  Key elements incorporated into these interactive and collaborative spaces include connected devices that foster on-going information, student-centered audiovisual tools, and purposeful furniture that allow students to learn in different ways at different times.  These environments are equipped to promote flexibility and a culture of motivation, well-being, belonging, and personal safety for all students.

The vision for South Pointe remains for it to be a state-of-the-art STEAM program. Our three high schools are and will remain uniquely different than the Applied Technology Center. Programs and courses of study at the Applied Technology Center have evolved beyond the vocational offerings of the 70’s and 80’s. While welding, small engines, horticulture, and cosmetology are still offered, students today are able to explore careers in nursing and health science, veterinary science, business and marketing, architecture, warehouse distribution and logistics, media technology and more.

Maker space alone does not define a STEAM school.  A STEAM school has science, technology, engineering, arts, and math infused throughout the curriculum.

After discussions with the City and County, increased housing projections in the Northeast area of Rock Hill is forecasted. The City is estimating 400-500 new homes and the County is estimating 200 new homes in this area. The Northeast sections will also be affected by the Panthers Organization moving to Rock Hill.

With the growing interest in our School of Choice options, this is a possibility but the final decision has not been made.

Cherry Park is a free standing building which would allow the District to remove Sullivan without affecting Cherry Park.

This decision has not been made at this time. It is possible to rebuild on the current site or acquire property to construct the new Sullivan Middle School.

On our webpage, the One Plan is accessible with a list of each site and what work would take place on each campus.

Replacing York Road would allow the district to expand our School of Choice Program. We have a large site at York Road and we can build a new school on the site before we replace the existing school, allowing our students to stay in the existing school until the new building is complete. 

The One Plan is a Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan for ten years. The March 31 bond referendum is seeking to fund the first five years of the plan.

Under the Safety, Security and Savings Investment spreadsheet in the online One Plan, energy retrofit projects and installation of alternative or renewable resource power systems allow the district to expand our utilities infrastructure and reduce our bills.

All schools will have security enhancements. Under the Safety, Security and Savings Investment spreadsheet in the online One Plan, a list of all of the upgrades can be found.

The new school will be built on the existing property, and it could be sited adjacent to and behind the current bus loop. Locations of playgrounds would be based on the layout of the new school, and equipment that was installed in 2019 could be relocated on the property. We envision a larger capacity school based on potential adjustments and realignments of York Road’s attendance zone. The new school would be staffed to district standards to ensure students, staff and teachers are properly supported.

Schools which have recently undergone recent major renovations, like Ebinport, will not see large modernization projects if the bond is successful. All campuses will include improvements based on the Safety and Security and Arts, Athletics and Wellness portion of our plans. More significant changes to schools, like Ebinport, are included in the second phase of The ONE Plan. The timing of projects is based on the priority of needs at other campuses.

Makerspaces alone do not define a STEAM school.  A STEAM school has science, technology, engineering, arts, and math infused throughout the curriculum, which is the focus of our three STEAM choice schools: Oakdale Elementary, Saluda Trail Middle, and South Pointe High School. Virtual reality stations and 3D printers are examples of makerspace equipment that can help to modernize classrooms in other schools. Specific full-scale makerspaces were designed and constructed as part of the 2015 bond and are distinct differences at Oakdale, Saluda Trail, and South Pointe compared to other schools in the district. Improvements will be differentiated between schools with choice programs and traditional programs, but we believe all students deserve a modern learning environment.

Each choice school will have specific improvements designed by stakeholders through our charrette process. This approach allows direct stakeholder involvement in designing the features that make each facility distinctly different than other locations. Improvements will be differentiated between schools with choice programs and traditional programs, but we believe all students deserve a modern learning environment.

Projects have been prioritized according to several factors including age, function, utilization and the adaptability of the current site. The pace of construction and the physical limitations to construct multiple projects simultaneously was also considered.

An optimum construction management approach will be designed and procured after the March 31 vote. The district’s 2015 program has been managed by a local firm, and while we have been very pleased with their work, we will determine if we continue with an outside construction management firm or manage the program internally.

This bond program is about more than the external appearance of buildings. The renovation and modernization projects are focused on improving the functionality of the learning spaces to be conducive for teaching and learning in the 2020’s and beyond. Exterior “curb appeal” projects are included in several locations. For example, the Applied Technology Center’s exterior has remained relatively unchanged since its original construction in 1971.

See Appendix D of The ONE Plan. The entire plan and resource documents are available on this website, . Click for specific links to the Demographics Study (where you will find the enrollment forecast) and the Utilization Analysis.

Our ONE Plan on page 42 lists the 11 projects which support our Safety and Security Program.  In contrast to the guards and officers provided by our General Operating Fund budget, these projects of the Capital Fund will support the teamwork and operating procedures, drills and other training which are the core of school safety.  Capital investments include camera, emergency communication and life safety (e.g., sprinkler, fire alarm) systems, among others.

Our growth projections are based on the 2019 Cropper and McKibben Demographics Study for our district, available in Appendix D of the ONE Plan.  Construction planned will replace antiquated, inadequate school buildings, not simply add more buildings. Expansions planned for some buildings will be offset by removal of other facilities, such as the antiquated Flexible Learning Center.

As described in ONE Plan, page 23, the Master Planning Team believes additional growth growth will increase this projected number of students, due to latest analysis by the City of Rock Hill Planning Department and known trends of:

• In-migration into the district due to our school choice program, career and technical education options offered, and enhanced early childhood, alternative education and exceptional children’s programs offered.
• In-migration into the district due to our district-wide one-to-one digital learning environment.

As shown in Table 5 of the ONE Plan, the excess capacity is about 3,300 and 1,300 students, not classes, respectively, for elementary and middle schools.  The elementary and middle schools planned are NOT for new students, but to replace antiquated, inadequately functioning school buildings. Further, as described on page 33, opening these replacement facilities will allow opportunities for re-alignment of existing under-utilized school buildings.  This could involve conversion of some facilities to other programs. Overall, the facilities inventory will be slightly smaller and, being newer, will lead to more efficient school operations.

Finley Road is one of several schools that is underutilized.  At this time, we are exploring all options for maximizing building utilization for all of our facilities. It is possible that Finley Road could become the district’s new pre-kindergarten center or space for other district programs. 

Adjustments and realignments of attendance zones will need to take place to populate the new York Road Elementary Schools and the new elementary school slated to be built in the Northeast portion of our community.

Revenue generated through bond referenda can only be spent on capital project areas identified on the bond measure ballot. Other revenue sources, such as state and federal, only contribute to the district’s operating budget. Funds from the City of Rock Hill are negotiated through the intergovernmental agreements, and are only available for operational needs. The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Education Foundation is a separate not-for-profit organization with a mission to support innovative teacher grants and the district’s Back the Pack program. 

Other mechanisms exist to raise revenue, but the costs of this plan are greater than what can be generated in our community through tools like impact fees on residential development. Other communities like Fort Mill and Clover which are seeing rapid growth are in a different position and can benefit from impact fees. 

Primary residences assessed at 4%:  Property tax value x 0.04 assessment ratio = assessed value x debt service millage  increase = estimated tax increase

For a $100,000 primary residence:  $100,000 x 0.04 = $4,000 x 0.0265 = $106/year or $8.83/month

Vehicles assessed at 6%:  Property tax value x 0.06 assessment ratio = assessed value x millage increase = estimated tax increase

For a $25,000 vehicle:  $25,000 x 0.06 = $1,500 x 0.0265 = $39.75/year or $3.31/month

Businesses assessed at 6%:  Property tax value x 0.06 assessment ratio = assessed value x millage increase = estimated tax increase

For a $100,000 business:  $100,000 x 0.06 = $6,000 x 0.0265 = $159/year or $13.25/month

Resource:

We look forward to partnership opportunities with the Carolina Panthers organization. Among other possibilities, their presence may be a catalyst for the development of hospitality and sport management programs for students who are interested in pursuing such careers.

Previous bond programs were largely focused on major renovations and maintenance issues rather than directly improving the learning environment. The proposed March 31 bond is heavily focused on renovating, replacing, and updating aging and antiquated classrooms and buildings that prevent students and teachers from having the best opportunity to improve learning outcomes. 

Formerly home to the district’s Montessori program, Sylvia Circle Elementary School transitioned to become the Sylvia Circle Family Learning Center in November 2017. At that time, the facility became the home to two district programs - ParentSMART and the T3 Elementary Center - and community organizations and agencies focused on supporting early learners. First Steps, Family Connections, and Head Start, which is operated by Carolina Community Actions leases the space, each operate out of the Sylvia Circle Family Learning Center. The Montessori program’s relocation to a new facility on the campus of Ebenezer Avenue Elementary School and the closing of the Edgewood School set in motion the movements that created the Sylvia Circle Family Learning Center. In 2019, the district also added a welcome center for the purpose of providing a one-stop onboarding location for international families relocating to Rock Hill.

A bond is a way for the school district to borrow money to finance construction, building / site renovations, and equipment.

Community members teamed with ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to assess long-range district needs, including safety and security, adequate and modernized schools, and facilities to support arts, athletics and other student activities.  The largest need is for modernized student learning spaces.  ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø still has facilities in use which are 50, 60, and 70 years old.  While the district has worked diligently to maintain these buildings, many schools are significantly beyond their designed life of 30 years.  Additionally, facilities built 40, 50, 60, and 70 years ago are inadequate for modern class sizes, technology, furnishings, and latest teaching and learning methods.  We have come to the point in time where some buildings or parts of buildings will need to be replaced or renovated.

Anyone who lives within Rock Hill School District 3 can vote in the referendum.  You do not have to live just within the city limits of Rock Hill. To determine your eligibility, . The Voting District shown with your registration must show "School District 03".

For more information on how to vote, your voting location and a sample ballot please see below.

Download Sample Ballot

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$294.8 million dollars or $294,800,000

In Rock Hill School District, 52 mills of taxes are currently levied each year to pay existing bonds.  If the referendum is successful, taxes will increase by 26.5 mills for a total of 78.5 mills.

The cost to homeowners on their primary residence would be approximately $106 per year or $8.83 per month for every $100,000 in real property tax value.  According to the City of Rock Hill, the median value home is $140,500 and would see an increase of approximately $149 per year, or $12.41 per month.

York County Government, Office of the Assessor, provides a ‘’ document on their website.

The Homestead Exemption Program is a State funded program authorized under Section 12-37-250 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The program exempts the first $50,000 fair market value of primary residence from all property taxes. If the primary residence is valued at $50,000 or less, it is exempt from all property taxes. So, the impact to a homeowner with a taxable assessed home value of $100,000 who qualifies for the Homestead Exemption would see an increase of $53/year or $4.42/month. If the taxable assessed value of the home is $300,000, the increase would be $265/year or $22.08/month, since the first $50,000 of the taxable home value is exempt.

For more information on how to apply for the Homestead Exemption, please visit the .

The cost to business owners would be approximately $159 per year or $13.25 per month for every $100,000 in real business tax value. According tothe City of Rock Hill, the median value business is $261,000 (which is assessed at 6%) would see an increase of approximately $415 per year or $34.58.

York County Government, Office of the Assessor, provides a  document on their website.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø has not increased debt service millage for 11 years, which means the millage rate has been frozen at 52 mills since 2009. Due to South Carolina law and the impact of Act 388, businesses do pay a larger share of school taxes. Business owners pay a portion to fund school operations and debt service, whereas homeowners do not contribute to school operations through property taxes.

No. 

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø has been able to meet its capital needs while maintaining a 52 mill levy for debt service for eleven years. See the Facts About Debt Service Millage page.

In 2015, the district held a $110,000,000 referendum with the commitment that debt service millage would not be increased.  That referendum was successful; the debt was issued; and the commitment to maintain a 52 mill levy was met.  

In the current bond referendum, the district is seeking approval to issue $294,800,000 of general obligation bonds which will require a 26.5 debt service mill increase.  The district’s commitment is that the total millage for existing debt, annual maintenance bonds, and the current referendum debt will not exceed 78.5 mills.  

The subsequent pages illustrate the district’s debt program including the current referendum bonds per the district’s financial advisor and the most recent financial results per the district’s external auditor.  The per mill valuation amount for year 2019 and prior reflect the actual collectible value per mill based on the district’s audited financial statements.  If the district continues to show positive growth similar to the most recent results, the district may be able to retire the debt obligations more quickly resulting in a reduction in the amount of total interest paid by the taxpayer.

The ONE Plan is a working document prepared by a community stakeholder-based team of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to forecast long-term needs for building construction and maintenance and equipment.  This document guides the 5 year proposed building program related to the 2020 bond referendum.  The ONE Plan is broader in scope than the current bond referendum and should be considered an internal working document that will continue to evolve as needs of the district change.  Revisions to the master plan are presented to the school board periodically, but the school board does not vote to approve the master plan.  Instead the board uses the plan as a tool to understand facility conditions and forecasts.

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Board of Trustees has only voted to place one bond referendum on the ballot.  No future bond referendum has been considered by the board.  All projects associated with the 2020 bond referendum are stand-alone projects that do not require any additional bond referendum funds to complete.

Some school buildings are being replaced.  Planned capacity at newer buildings may impact some schools, creating space for needed uses.  For example, relocation of district alternative education programs to a new campus would allow vacating the older buildings at the Flexible Learning Center.  In addition, expanding pre-kindergarten in Rock Hill requires the expansion of facilities suitable for use by four-year-old students. The school district could use bond funds to make renovations necessary to repurpose a current elementary school building into a dedicated pre-kindergarten center.

Our plan is that current school facilities will remain in operation until any new buildings are built.  Options to accommodate construction include building on vacant portions of the existing school campus while school remains in session, or relocating the school to a temporary space while construction takes place on the existing site. 

No.  No final agreement with the Panthers organization has been made.  However, an agreement is currently being negotiated between York County and the City of Rock Hill which might allow a portion of taxes collected on the property being considered by the Panthers organization to be used to build public infrastructure necessary to develop the site.   Any tax revenue designated for this site would not be “given” to the Panthers but would be invested in the site for public infrastructure and amenities.  Currently, the school district receives approximately $300 in tax revenue from the property being considered by the Panthers organization for development in York County.  Commercial development of this site on the scale currently being discussed by the Panthers would certainly result in an increase in tax revenue generated for the school district which would far exceed our current $300 in taxes generated, even with a percentage of that tax revenue being reinvested in the site itself.

On December 9, 2019, the School Board unanimously approved a resolution calling for the referendum.  State law requires at least 60 days notice for a referendum.  The local elections commission needs ample time to reprogram the new voting system after the state primary is held.  In addition, the local elections commission will be in training part of the month which limits which Tuesday is available for the referendum vote.  Therefore, March 24^th and March 31^st were available.  After much consideration, the board and administration felt March 31^st would be the best option for the referendum vote.

The ONE Plan, on which the referendum is based, was created by a community stakeholder-based group which includes teachers, parents, principals and community members.  The draft ONE Plan was presented last fall to all faculty and staff at each school in the district, seeking their input.  In addition, students who serve on the district Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, representing all high schools and high school programs, were presented the plan and provided input.  This input was used to create the final project list.  It is the district’s belief to involve stakeholders in the planning process.

Although ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is the largest of the four York County school districts, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø has the lowest combined millage of any school district in York County (lower than York 1, Clover, and Fort Mill)

Even with the passage of the proposed bond, Rock Hill will have the 2^nd lowest combined millage - Clover will be slightly lower.

By comparison, in the last 15 years Rock Hill has had two successful bond referenda (2015 - $110 million, 2005 - $92 million) totaling $202 million.  Fort Mill has had four successful bond referenda (2008 - $95.95 million, 2013 - $54.3 million, 2015 - $226 million, 2018 - $190 million) totaling $566.25 million