Education is on the ballot in Dorchester County this November, where voters will decide whether to approve a new one-percent Education Sales Tax to fund school capital improvements across Dorchester School Districts 2 and 4.

If approved, the tax would take effect in early 2027 and remain in place for 15 years, generating an estimated $688 million for school construction, renovations and other capital needs. Under an agreement between the districts, 85% of the revenue would go to District 2 and 15% to District 4.

Proposed projects include new schools, additions and renovations to existing facilities and other improvements designed to accommodate continued growth and address long-term maintenance needs. Because the program would be funded through a sales tax, visitors and shoppers from outside Dorchester County would also contribute, with school officials estimating that non-residents would account for approximately 60 cents of every dollar collected.

The Chamber recognizes that strong schools are essential to a thriving community, a prepared workforce and our region’s long-term competitiveness and proudly supports the Dorchester County Education Sales Tax referendum.

Want to learn more? Dorchester District Two Superintendent Chad Daugherty will host a series of small-group information sessions to walk through the proposed projects, the district’s long-range plans for growth and school maintenance and answer questions about the referendum.

The info sessions will be held on Monday, October 5 at 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. (each session will last approximately one hour) at The Trolley Room – 455 Old Trolley Road, Unit C, in Summerville.

Register here.

Education is also on the ballot in Charleston County, where voters will decide whether to extend the penny sales tax for six years, a measure that would generate $1.2 billion for upgrades to school facilities across the county.

Charleston County voters will also decide whether to extend the half-cent Transportation Sales Tax, a critical choice as our region grapples with continued growth that puts a strain on our infrastructure. The $4.25 billion generated by this sales tax extension would help make urgent infrastructure improvements possible, allow for the expansion of our transit system and fund land conservation efforts.

The campaign to get both of these referendums passed – Yes for CHS – is holding events across the county as Election Day approaches. Come out and show your support for these key programs and invite your friends and family members to come as well – especially if they’re on the fence.

Here are the details:

Mount Pleasant – Tuesday, October 13 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Crush Yard (3365 S Morgans Point Road)

West Ashley – Tuesday, October 6 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Home Team BBQ (1205 Ashley River Road)

North Charleston – Thursday, October 8 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Tattooed Moose (4845 Chateau Avenue)

If you have questions or are interested in getting more involved with the Chamber’s advocacy work, we are happy to connect. Reach out at jgamble@charlestonchamber.organd mcarter@charlestonchamber.org.