KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — In response to the growing number of students, the Kershaw County School District has made a significant move by purchasing close to a 130-acre property in Lugoff for $3.2 million.
Situated on Fort Jackson Road, the property is strategically located less than a mile from Doby Mill Elementary, approximately 2 miles from I-20, and just 5 miles from downtown Elgin.
The district said it envisions the vacant lot as a potential site for a new school. Chief Operations Officer Billy Smith said plans are still in the preliminary stages.
"This is a future site for a school," Smith said. "It is large enough that we can put -- if we needed to -- put a high school with all the sports venues that it needs along with a middle school."
Smith said that the acquisition serves as an investment to accommodate the future growth of the district as more families settle in the area.
"Lugoff-Elgin High School has 2,100 seats right now -- let's use round numbers -- they've got 1,800 students; you've got room for growth over there," Smith said. "But with all the houses we see coming, when you start adding up those numbers, when those are all built out, it's going to fill up quick; and when I say quick, I'm saying five [to] 10 years."
Residents voiced their support for the initiative, citing the necessity of additional educational facilities in the rapidly growing community.
"Definitely a high school because, you know, Lugoff-Elgin is the only one for all the Elgin kids and the Lugoff kids, and it is completely packed," said resident Jenni Maiden.
"I think it's definitely needed," resident Rick Jay said. The community is growing rapidly,"
While the district anticipates developing a new school within approximately 10 years, Smith said the acquisition will benefit future generations.
"The ones of us sitting here now might not see the benefits of this in the future, but in the future, whoever is sitting in these seats will probably feel good about what we've done," Smith said.
The district is currently awaiting a closing date for the property.