Dorchester schools continue to swell

SUMMERVILLE - Enrollment in crowded schools around Summerville swelled past 22,000 for the first time Tuesday.

That's about 850 more students than the same day last year, and it's about 250 more than officials were hoping for the day after Labor Day.

District 2 has been gaining about 900 new students each year the past couple years, and some schools are running out of room for more mobile classroom trailers.

Superintendent Joe Pye was hoping the housing market downturn would cap the increase at about 600 this year.

The school board is considering a $165 million referendum to build more schools, and Pye said that's just to handle students who are already there. Officials acknowledge it will be a tough sell to residents hit by rising prices and falling home values.

Meanwhile, Dorchester County officials are working on a new comprehensive plan that includes language aimed at preventing growth from getting ahead of roads and schools. The plan says a new development can't be approved if schools can't handle it. County council gave it initial approval Tuesday. Final approval is expected in November, after more public hearings.

Read more in Wednesday's Post and Courier.