Anderson District 3 has acquired a 72-acre site at 8010 Highway 81 South in the Town of Starr with plans to replace Starr-Iva Middle School with a new school with enough room for future growth.
“This land acquisition is a significant victory for Anderson 3, and the state grant accelerates our efforts to assess our capital needs," Superintendent Kathy Hipp said. "Over the years, our district has worked diligently to maintain our facilities and care for what we currently have. However, the time has come for school replacements.
"We are experiencing growth at a rate not seen in over two decades," she said.
According to a District Three release, the $1 million investment is funded by savings from the 2023-2024 general fund, which was transferred to the district’s building fund in September.
"The district administration has begun researching other newly constructed middle schools in our area and in the state, reviewing plans for a school to meet our needs, and will begin the design process," said Dylan McCullough, Anderson District Three's chief communication officer.
Growth in District 3
McCullough said the district had 2,627 students in 2019, which decreased to 2,535 in 2020 but surged to 2,788 in 2024.
"The timing is right to replace Starr-Iva Middle School and address other critical capital needs," Hipp said. "With community support, we can provide new facilities that enhance our ability to deliver top-notch educational opportunities.”
Here is what you need to know about the outdated facilities in Anderson School District Three.
What to know about out-of-date facilities in D3
In July 2024, the State Department of Education completed a facility needs assessment for Anderson School District Three. It identified Starr-Iva Middle School (SIMS) as the district's top priority for urgent attention.
According to the report, Starr-Iva Middle School is the oldest building in Anderson Three. It was constructed in 1953 as New Deal Elementary and High School. Although the building has been well maintained over the years, it no longer meets the requirements of a modern educational environment.
Additionally, the population has outgrown the present cafeteria/kitchen, classroom, and instructional space.
Starr-Iva Middle School currently has 621 students.
"Starr-Iva Middle School has undergone several additions over the decades, with expansions in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 2000s. Despite these updates, the facility still struggles to meet the demands of its growing student body," McCullough said.
Starr Elementary School, originally constructed in 1959, also faced similar challenges despite additions in the late 1980s and early 2000s, according to McCullough. Crescent High School, whose original construction was completed in 1956, expanded in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and early 2000s.
Here is what you should know about how Anderson District plans to minimize the taxpayer impact.
Financial support to minimize taxpayer impact
The board and Superintendent Hipp agree that replacing Starr-Iva is the district's top priority. They are collaborating to explore all possible funding options to address the district's capital needs while minimizing the impact on taxpayers.
"I am incredibly grateful for the partnership with the General Assembly in providing essential capital investment funds for rural schools," Ellen Weaver, the South Carolina Superintendent of Education, said in a statement. "Anderson District Three is experiencing growth in both population and educational outcomes for its students."
“We understand our community cannot afford a large tax hike," Hipp said. "I hope that by working together with our state and local leaders, we can achieve this goal with minimal financial asks of our neighbors.”
Here is what you need to know about how Anderson School District Three acquired the 72-acre site at 8010 Highway 81 South in Starr.
Concerns over a trailer park spur District Three acquisition
The 72-acre site at 8010 Highway 81 South in the Town of Starr initially garnered considerable attention from various developers due to its prime location and size. Cook Properties, a New York-based real estate company specializing in manufactured homes and mobile home parks, expressed interest in the site.
They proposed to the Anderson County Planning Commission to transform the 72-acre site in the Town of Starr into a mobile home park. This development addressed the growing demand for affordable housing in the region, providing residents with affordable living options.
However, citizens and community members expressed concerns about the potential impact of a mobile home park on local infrastructure and how it would affect property values.
In response to these concerns, Chuck Nubern, a resident, initiated a petition to stop the construction of the proposed trailer park. The petition rapidly gained support, gathering 1,364 signatures from community members with similar concerns.
It stated, "The proposed development of a trailer park in the Starr area is not just an infrastructural change; it poses a potential threat to the existing community."
The petition noted that rapid changes in the Starr landscape and population density could lead to issues related to utilities, local resources, and school district capacity.
Greg Elgin, the County Council member for District Three, said they all learned about the proposed mobile home park development a few weeks before it was presented to the planning commission.
"I organized a community meeting at the Starr Fire Department to provide factual information to residents," Elgin said. "Along with many other community members, I, too, oppose the development of this size in our small community."
Cook Properties withdrew its proposal from the planning commission agenda. Information presented at the meeting indicated that the development size and scope would not be sustainable on that lot.
After Cook Properties' proposal was withdrawn, Anderson School District Three saw an opportunity to alleviate overcrowding at Starr-Iva Middle School. They contacted the landowner to express interest in using the site for a new school.
Following environmental testing to ensure the land met all building requirements, the board approved Superintendent Hipp moving forward with the purchase.
"I believe this purchase will genuinely benefit our community for many years to come," Elgin said. "We are grateful that the school district acquired this parcel of land, as it will help address our growing educational needs."
"The 8010 Highway 81 South site provides future flexibility, with ample land to rebuild another school in the upcoming years," Hipp said.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at [email protected].