ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Orangeburg County Council passed an ordinance Monday approving a land swap allowing a new Orangeburg-Wilkinson (O-W) High School to be built on Cook Road. Council voted 5-2 in favor of selling 89 acres of land for the purpose of the school.
There was a packed house at the Orangeburg County Council Meeting as residents protested efforts to build a new Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School in their neighborhood. The meeting room was a sea of red and white shirts as a symbol of resistance from members of the community.
“It would create hazardous and congested conditions making it difficult to enter and exit our neighborhoods," said resident Darlene Jenkins.
Other residents raised concerns about the school's potential effects on lowered property value and creating noise pollution in the neighborhood.
“The council, it seems like they were not concerned and it’s evident that their minds were completely made up," said Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton.
The county had originally planned a land swap with the school district to allow the new OW high school to be built on another strip of land on Red Bank Road.
According to chairman Johnnie Wright, those plans changed once the council decided instead to use that land for economic development.
“County council is here to help because this is our county but the school board has two completely governing bodies. It is their decision on where the school should be," said county council chairman Johnnie Wright.
The new O-W high school could cost about $100 million and is part of the school district's $190 million bond referendum voters approved last year. Residents say although council approved the ordinance, the fight isn't over.
“I hope that we can continue to reach the right person because certainly tonight, that didn’t help us at all," said Middleton.
The community says they plan to continue their fight in Tuesday's Orangeburg County School District Board meeting at 6:30 p.m.