DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — Dorchester School District Two says it needs about $700 million to repair, renovate and improve its schools over the next 15 years, ahead of a Nov. 3 vote on an education sales tax already used by schools in neighboring Charleston County and Berkeley County, S.C.
District leaders and the county auditor walked through the proposal at Monday night school board meeting. If approved, the tax would add one cent to every dollar spent on eligible purchases in Dorchester County for up to 15 years, with 85% going to DD2 and 15% going to DD4.
DD2 estimates it would receive approximately $526 million in net funding over 15 years, covering about 75% of its needs and leaving roughly $174 million to come from other sources. The district estimates the tax would cost a typical Dorchester County household approximately $143 per year.
The money is for capital projects only, such as buildings, roofs, HVAC, buses and security equipment, not salaries. Ninety percent of each district share would pay for listed projects, and 10% would provide property tax relief by reducing existing debt service millage.
Officials also discussed approximately 14,000 homes already approved or planned in the district. Early voting runs October 19 through October 31 at four locations in the county, and polls are open Tuesday, November 3, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
