
PURPLE UP FOR MILITARY FAMILIES | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
ACPSD encourages students and staff to wear PURPLE this Friday, November 15, in celebration of the Month of the Military Family. THANK YOU to our military families for your dedication and service. #PurpleUp
Veterans Day celebrations are continuing in our schools this week with walls of honor, tribute concerts, and very special guests. We are incredibly grateful for the veterans and active duty heroes in our community and across the country. Enjoy these photos from some of the Veterans Day programs in our schools, and Purple Up (wear purple) this Friday, November 15, as we show our support for families of those who serve! #ACPSDCelebrates










THANK YOU, VOTERS!
Nearly 73% of Aiken County voters said “yes” to a renewal of the Educational Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax. The “yes” vote renews the 1% tax for a period of 10 years, and results in the continuation of the one cent (penny) tax added to every dollar spent on most goods purchased in the county. The 2024 One Cent Sales Tax will fund upgrades, renovations and improvements at South Aiken, Silver Bluff, and Midland Valley high schools, North Augusta Middle School, and construction of a new elementary school serving students in Area Three. Several contingency projects were also listed on the ballot and represent high priority needs. Contingency projects include roofing, construction of security vestibules and door lock upgrades district-wide, additions at Byrd and Gloverville elementary schools, and replacement of Greendale Elementary. Contingency projects will be addressed once the primary projects are funded as tax dollars are available.
The tax passed by an overwhelming majority and was supported in each of the county’s 89 voting precincts, with 54,584 (72.59%) voting in favor of the 10-year Sales Tax renewal benefitting our public school facilities. The companion question, which asked voters if the district could bond up to $285 million of the projected Sales Tax revenue to jumpstart the projects (instead of waiting for the pennies to add up before beginning the facility improvements), also passed, with 71.28% of the vote.
Thank you, voters! We join you in excitement for the campus improvements ahead, and are most grateful for your vote of confidence that will make them possible!


The application for the 2025 acGATEWAY Summer Arts program is now live on the Gateway webpage of the district website. Please visit https://www.acpsd.net/o/district/page/summer-acagateway-program to learn more about this free visual and performing arts opportunity for students in our District in grades 3-12. All students must submit an application to be considered, and an audition is required for all new student applicants.


In honor of Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served our nation with courage and dedication. Let's take a moment to reflect on their sacrifices and express our gratitude.
Many Veterans Day programs and celebrations were held in our schools last week and more will take place in the days to come, so stay tuned to your school’s website and social media as we honor and celebrate the service of our military veterans and active duty heroes.
Check out these pictures from Veterans Day parades, concerts, and more that took place across our district last week and today.
#HappyVeteransDay #ACPSDcelebrates










Join us at the Aiken County Career & Technology Center (ACCTC) on Tuesday, November 12, from 4-7p.m. for Community Night!
The event will feature food trucks, door prizes, industry partners, and activities for all ages.
We hope to see our current and future students, families, staff, and community partners on Tuesday evening as we celebrate Community Night at ACCTC!
The ACCTC is located at 2455 Jefferson Davis Highway in Warrenville, SC.


This week, ACPSD is thrilled to recognize the incredible contributions of our school psychologists during National School Psychology Week ! Their dedication to supporting our students' mental health, emotional well-being, and academic growth makes a profound difference every day.
School psychologists are key to creating safe and inclusive learning environments, empowering our students to reach their full potential.
Thank you, school psychologists, for the passion, care, and expertise you bring to ACPSD! Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
#NationalSchoolPsychologyWeek #SparkDiscovery #ACPSDcelebrates


📣 Shout Out to Our Hardworking & Dedicated Staff! 🎉
Today, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible commitment, resilience, and passion of our educational staff. From early mornings to late nights, our teachers, aides, counselors, administrators, and support teams go above and beyond to make sure each student feels valued and supported. 🌟
Thank you for your endless dedication, creativity, and heart. You are the backbone of our schools and the reason our students thrive. Let’s hear it for our amazing team—drop a ❤️ below to show your appreciation! 👏
Shout out an ACPSD teacher or staff member at www.acpsd.net/shine!
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










Due to extensive rainfall that’s flooded, washed out, and led to road closures across our county, Aiken County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule tomorrow, Thursday, November 7. All schools and offices will open on a two-hour delay. Due to the delayed start, only lunch will be served tomorrow in our cafeterias. Students on half-day schedules, including Early Learning Special Education students and others, will not come to school tomorrow as buses will be unable to make mid-day routes. The Aiken County Career Center will not have morning classes. Students will report to their high school on a two-hour delay. Rainfall is expected throughout the night and into tomorrow. Please use extreme caution when traveling to school and work. If you encounter flooded roadways, please turn around. The safety of our students, staff, and families is most important.


In an abundance of caution for the safety of our student athletes, fans, and families, all athletic events will be cancelled for this evening.
We regret the difficulty that this decision will have on our schools, students, and families, many who we recognize were planning to host events that were rescheduled already due to Hurricane Helene.
Additional details on rescheduled activities will be shared directly by our schools to their students and families.
Please use caution when travelling roadways this evening, especially along routes still impacted by debris, and thank you, as always, for your support and understanding.


ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
TODAY IS ELECTION DAY! PLEASE BE SURE TO VOTE!
Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on election day. To find your voting location, please visit www.scvotes.org.
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.


ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
IF THE ONE CENT SALES TAX IS NOT VOTER-APPROVED IN 2024, IT WILL BE TWO YEARS BEFORE THE ONE CENT SALES TAX CAN APPEAR AGAIN ON THE BALLOT.
The Sales Tax question may only appear on the ballot in a general election.
Should the tax not pass by majority vote in 2024, it will be November 2026 before the One Cent Sales Tax appears again on the ballot. If the tax were renewed, over those two years $75 million in funding would have been dedicated to school facilities.
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.


ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
ON ELECTION DAY (TOMORROW, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5), AIKEN COUNTY VOTERS WILL SEE TWO QUESTIONS ON THE BALLOT FOR THE EDUCATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS SALES AND USE TAX.
One asks voters if they are in favor of the renewal of the tax and lists the projects and contingency projects that a renewal would directly benefit.
The other is only valid only if the sales tax is approved and asks voters if they are in favor of authorizing the district to bond part of the projected revenue to jump start the projects and begin improvements right away (instead of waiting for one cent sales tax funds to accumulate before beginning improvements).
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.


ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
A THIRD OF THE ONE CENT SALES TAX IS ESTIMATED TO BE GENERATED BY NON-RESIDENTS.
When individuals visit Aiken County and make purchases, their contribution to overall sales tax revenues is estimated to generate around a third of the total collected. If approved, visitors to the county contribute to Aiken County’s school facility improvements, as well as a property tax reduction for Aiken County homeowners.
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.


Highlighting the dedication, creativity, and accomplishments of educators and staff. ACPSD recognizes unique contributions, achievements, and everyday acts of kindness that often go unnoticed.
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! 💬👇
www.acpsd.net/shine
Stay tuned every Sunday as we let the light SHINE on the incredible employees making a difference and serving with greatness!
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
IF RENEWED, THE ONE CENT IN 2024 IS PROJECTED TO AMASS $398 MILLION OVER ITS 10-YEAR COLLECTION PERIOD.
In Aiken County, 90% of sales tax funds are dedicated to school projects and 10% to property tax relief, which totals an estimated $358M to the school facility projects.
If approved by voters, up to $285M of the projected revenue could be bonded to advance or “jump start” the projects (instead of waiting for taxes to accumulate before improvements begin).
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.


Parents and Guardians: Please note that there is no school for students Monday, November 4, due to a District Professional Development Day for teachers.
Tuesday, November 5, is Election Day and all ACPSD schools and offices will be closed. We hope that everyone eligible to vote will exercise their right on Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. As a reminder, the One Cent Sales Tax benefitting our public school facilities will be on the ballot. For additional information on the Sales Tax and the school facility improvements that a renewal of the tax would directly benefit, please visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.
Don't forget daylight saving time ends this weekend., and we'll "fall back" an hour on Sunday, November 3.
Wishing everyone a great long weekend as we look forward to welcoming students back to school on Wednesday, November 6.


ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
UNPREPARED FOODS, GAS, AND MOST MEDICATIONS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE ONE CENT SALES TAX.
If renewed by voters on November 5, the One Cent Educational Capital Sales and Use Tax would result in a continuation of the One Percent Sales Tax on most purchases (one cent/dollar) in Aiken County. There are numerous exemptions to the tax, which are listed include in South Carolina’s Code of Laws, Section 12-36-2120. Among the exemptions are unprepared foods, gasoline, and most medications.
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.


ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
CONTINGENCY PROJECTS WILL ALSO APPEAR ON THE BALLOT AND INCLUDE ROOFING, SECURITY VESTIBULES AND DOOR LOCK UPGRADES AT SCHOOLS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, CLASSROOM ADDITIONS AT BYRD AND GLOVERVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND REPLACEMENT OF GREENDALE ELEMENTARY.
In addition to the five primary projects voters will see on their ballot, several contingency projects are also listed that will be undertaken once primary projects are completed (or if all funding necessary for completion of the primary projects has been provided) and if additional tax revenue is available. Sales Tax funding is limited to the projects specified on the ballot and approved by voters. 2024 contingencies represent additional projects that are high priority
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.


ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
IF THE ONE CENT SALES TAX IS VOTER-APPROVED FOR A RENEWAL, A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT IN AREA THREE.
Space for elementary school students in Area Three, the fastest-growing area of our county, is limited. Many students in Midland Valley and Graniteville schools are already in portable classrooms.
To accommodate this growth, a new elementary school in Area Three is among the list of projects that a 2024 One Cent Sales Tax renewal would support.
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.


ONE POINT ABOUT THE ONE %
NORTH AUGUSTA MIDDLE (NAMS), CONSTRUCTED IN 1954, IS THE OLDEST SCHOOL AMONG THE LIST OF PROJECTS THAT A 2024 RENEWAL OF THE ONE CENT SALES WOULD BENEFIT.
Window air conditioning and heating units and metal-lined walls make indoor temperature control of this 1950s-era school (built without central heating and air) a challenge. At NAMS, the roof is leaking, doors are no longer fully shutting, and walkways and entrances to areas of the school built below grade flood on rainy days..
Part of the school was renovated previously and includes the cafeteria, science and music wing. If approved by voters, the recently updated areas are all that would remain. The original 1954 structure would be demolished, and a new, secure entryway, admin and classroom wing, media center, and gymnasium would be constructed.
For more Penny Tax Facts, visit www.acpsd.net/OneCent.
