As officials prepare for a $73.6 million bond referendum to build a new school for Bamberg School District 1, some citizens unsure how they will vote while others are still unaware they're being asked to vote on the issue Tuesday.

Lifelong Bamberg resident Jesse Jones had not heard much about the referendum but summed up the dilemma many voters will face.

"I agree we need a new school, but with the tax increase being that high, maybe there are other ways we can work around that. There will be a lot of disagreement on the tax increase, many people can't afford that," Jones said.

William Peay, a 40-year Bamberg resident, is still on the fence. Peay said there are too many variables that are unknown to him, like where the school will be built or how it will affect property owners.

Gail Ellis believes it could affect property owners in Bamberg drastically.

"I think its going to take away a lot residents that are retired in Bamberg. People retire here for the tax breaks and benefits we have," Ellis said.

At stake is the construction of a kindergarten through 12th grade school and renovations to Ehrhardt Elementary School and athletic facilities.

The hike will be less dramatic for homeowners, who will see the school operations portion of their tax bill eliminated because of a change in state law. Business owners will be hit harder.

For example, the owner of $101,400 home will experience close to a $300 increase in property taxes, while the owner of a $119,460 business property will have an increase of nearly $2,000.

If approved, debt service millage will increase from 46 mills to 334.4 mills. A mill is worth about $4 on a $100,000 owner-occupied home.

Bamberg 1 Superintendent Phyllis Schwarting says the need for a new school facility is dire. She says the existing schools have plumbing issues, air quality problems and the buildings are not wired to accommodate today's technology. Schwarting says there is very little the district can do to keep the old buildings up to code and if a new facility is not built, it will cost more in the long run.

"I think the old saying 'pay now or pay later' is factual in this case," Schwarting said. She also added that she is sensitive to concerns residents might have about the tax increase.

"They are not as big as some people have been led to believe, I want people to think of the children," Schwarting said.

Felicia Vanzego will thinking about her two children who attend Bamberg 1 schools when she goes to the polls.

"I think it will be a good thing. The children need a new environment," Vanzego said. However, she believes their current school is in good condition.

Schwarting says that many of the problems at the current Bamberg 1 schools are not visible to the naked eye and that the district goes to great lengths to keep the schools looking presentable.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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