Superintendent Akil E. Ross held his first Lunch and Learn for the Dutch Fork community to discuss the bond referendum.

The bond referendum will be on this year’s ballot; voting will take place on Nov. 5.

Projects such as security enhancements, a new Dutch Fork Elementary School, renovations, a new student center, fine arts center auditorium and more are included in the bond referendum.

If accepted during the election, the total cost will be $239 million.

Rezoning will happen in the fall of 2026 and the outcome of the bond referendum will determine how. The rezoning stops at the Chapin/Dutch Fork line.  Dutch Fork students will not be rezoned into Irmo schools.

The goal for schools in Lexington-Richland School District Five is to have schools at 80% capacity. By doing this, educators will be able to meet the individual needs of students, such as students with special and emotional needs, learning disabilities, behavioral issues and more.

In new models in the referendum, there will be a new structure for schools. In these models, all 13 elementary schools will have fifth grade, and intermediate schools will no longer be in place. Instead, five middle schools will be equipped for students.

In August 2023, MPS Facilities identified $182 million worth of facility improvements. The facilities that were rated to have the most work needed were in the Dutch Fork and Irmo areas.

Safety and security upgrades will secure the entrances to 12 schools, permitting the cameras to detect harm before individuals enter the building. The 12 schools are: Ballentine Elementary, Chapin Elementary, Dutch Fork Elementary, H.E Corley Elementary, Chapin Intermediate, CrossRoads Intermediate, Chapin Middle, Irmo Middle, Irmo High, Spring Hill High, Adult Education and Academy for Success.

New classroom wings at Lake Murray Elementary and Chapin Elementary were discussed as well. Currently, students are outside in portables learning. This referendum will bring these students into the building, adding 20,000 square feet to Lake Murray and 16,000 square feet to Chapin Elementary.

The construction of a new Dutch Fork Elementary school is included in the bond referendum.

Under this referendum, renovating and replacing infrastructure such as repairing floors, roofing, ceilings, HVAC systems, electrical, and creating outdoor recreation areas and extracurricular programs will occur at Crossroads Intermediate, Dutch Fork High, Dutch Fork Middle, Harbison West Elementary, Irmo High, Irmo Middle, Nursery Road Elementary and Seven Oaks Elementary.

Individual classrooms will be created at Harbison West Elementary and Nursery Road Elementary to provide contained areas and eliminate distractions from neighboring classrooms.

An education center will be located at the current Dutch Fork Elementary School. Here, the district’s Adult Education Program, Academy for Success and the Flexible Innovative Virtual Education (FIVE) Program will be housed, opening space at Irmo High, Spring Hill High and Piney Woods Elementary.

Additionally, Lexington Richland District Five would construct and provide Chapin High with a fine arts center, a small business incubator and student center at Irmo High, an A.I. lab at Dutch Fork High, an administrative and professional development center at the district office building and construction lab at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies. 

On Oct. 9 from noon to 1p.m., another lunch and learn will be held virtually for the Irmo community.

On Oct. 15 from noon to 1 p.m., the last lunch and learn will be held virtually for the Chapin community.

To sign up or learn more, visit https://www.lexrich5.org/resources/2024-bond-referendum.