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Referendum

The Word of the People & How it Impacts HHIHS

by Alex Coley
Referendums are defined by the Webster Dictionary as “the principle or practice of submitting to popular vote a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative” but they are more important than their definition. The reason referendums exist, according to Secretary of State, Kim Wyman, is to “give voters an opportunity to approve or reject laws either proposed or enacted by the Legislature.” Referendums are basically the public’s way of putting their opinions into the government through their voice and not through elected officials. So how does that impact HHIHS?
The majority of the funds for the school comes from taxpayers, so it makes sense that they would have a say in where that money goes. Hilton Head Island High School principal Mr. Schidrich states, “When the county wants to borrow money from the taxpayers, the taxpayers vote on it because the taxpayers are the ones who pay for it.”
In years prior, the voters have elected to not allow the county to borrow money for the schools’ renovations and upgrades, but recently that changed. This last referendum was the first in 13 years to pass allowing the school system to borrow money to improve their schools. And that money went mostly to building a new school for May River and River Ridge Academy. A sum of that money also went to HHIHS for the school to plan new renovations for the school. According to Mr. Schidrich, “For Hilton Head High School, we’re going to be the big project on the next referendum, which we’re hoping is going to be in 2025 or 2026.”
There are two options for the school, the first would be to build an entirely different school and the other would be to make changes to the existing building. The latter option is the one more likely to occur. As Mr. Schidrich said, “we are currently the oldest school in the county, this is our 37th year, so our building is old and it needs a lot of upgrades.” Some of the upgrades would be security upgrades, technological upgrades, and renovations to the school’s athletic facilities.
According to Mr. Schidrich, “When we make the design, we’re going to get everybody involved. In other words, teachers are going to get involved, parents are going to get involved, students are going to get involved. Everybody’s going to have an opinion and we’re going to take all those opinions into account when we design this new building, so it’s going to be a community project.”
Mr. Schidrich says “When I leave here as principal, if all this works out, by the time I retire I want to hand the next principal a new building” and if the next referendum passes, that may very well happen. Referendums are incredibly important to Hilton Head Island High School and referendums are the community’s hope for a better future for the school.

All About the Referendum

by Ellie Mastrorocco
Referendums are defined by the Webster Dictionary as “the principle or practice of submitting to popular vote a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative” but they are more important than their definition. The reason referendums exist, according to Secretary of State, Kim Wyman, is to “give voters an opportunity to approve or reject laws either proposed or enacted by the Legislature.” Referendums are basically the public’s way of putting their opinions into the government through their voice and not through elected officials. So how does that impact HHIHS?
Mr. Schidrich, the principal at Hilton Head Island High School, gives insight on referendums and says how important referendums are especially for schools.
As each state has their own constitution, so do schools and other groups/organizations. A referendum allows a community to vote on issues themselves. Just as you would vote for a president or senator in November, a referendum is also included on a ballot.
For schools, there is a bond referendum. This allows for renovations, upgrades, extensions, and improvements to be done. Money has to be borrowed for these improvements, so a bond referendum is needed. A bond asks to borrow money from the public. One key component required for a bond is trust. Mr. Schidrich says, “you have to be responsible with the money.
About every five to seven years, a new bond referendum is needed. The latest improvements done to the school will eventually need to be upgraded again. The longer the wait for the new renovations, the harder it is for the school to hold out.
“It makes it difficult to have a modern school system without having the money for improvements and upgrades,” Mr. Schidrich says.
Every school eventually begins to wear down.
A referendum typically covers topics such as new schools, extensions/construction, security upgrades, athletics upgrades, etc.
Hilton Head Island High School, will have a bond referendum in 2025/ 2026.
A school referendum is a bond referendum, which allows improvements to happen and education to become more accessible.

The Rare Referendum

by Sophia Weismantel
Mr. Schidrich, principal at Hilton Head Island High School, believes referendums are an important part of the school community.
He explains that referendums are common in state governments. For example, to amend the state constitution there must be a referendum where the people decided on a proposed amendment. There are different kinds of referendums, but Mr. Schidrich focused on a bond referendum for schools.
Bond referendums are when taxpayers pay for these new additions that would positively affect schools and educational institutions. They are organized by the district and managed by the superintendent. Mr. Schidrich explains, “Bond referendums are when the county borrows money for school improvements, additions, and new construction. The referendums are organized by the district. The money is ___ through a community oversight committee.”
In the referendum passed in 2019, Robert Smalls International Academy will receive a new building. River Ridge Academy and May River High School will receive new additions to the existing buildings.
“Hilton Head Island High School is receiving upgrades to our security, technology, and athletic facilities. Over 5 million dollars will also be used to design a new HHIHS or renovate the current building,” Mr. Schidrich reveals.
HHIHS is now the oldest high school in the county. The school has been open for 37 years.
“The new design for the school may be used to build or renovate HHIHS in the next referendum,” Mr. Schidrich says.
Mr. Schidrich is excited for the potential at HHIHS and he has high hopes for a positive school year and the future of the school.

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