CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — The excitement was high as teachers and students in Chester County got together Wednesday to celebrate the new school year. The Chester County district held its convocation ahead of students returning to the classroom on Monday.
Some students will be returning to schools that even the superintendent said needed some major safety improvements. Last year, the district asked citizens to vote in favor of a $263 million bond referendum to pay for new Chester and Lewisville High Schools along with improvements in other schools, but voters said no. Despite that, superintendent Antwon Sutton said district leaders accomplished several safety goals.
“We’ve added security cameras into some of our schools in the district, we’ve also replaced some of our school fencing,” Sutton told Channel 9′s Tina Terry.
“That is not the will of the community at this time,” Sutton said. “So our goal will be to prioritize those capital projects, those building needs, and we will work them a little at a time.”
[ MORE: What you need to know for the first day back to school ]
Sutton added that the district doesn’t plan to seek another bond referendum this November.
[ READ MORE: First local students head back to class in Rowan County and Mooresville ]
But as the district works to make even more small changes, some are hoping leaders won’t give up on replacing some of the older buildings.
“I hope the schools can figure out a way to build new schools here,” said Tabitha Alexander, a parent.
Sutton told Channel 9 he’s excited about students getting back to normal -- last year, Chester County Schools was one of the only remaining districts with a mask mandate in place; this year, those masks will be optional.
(WATCH BELOW: CMS BACK 2 SCHOOL: What parents, students need to know for new year)
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