School bond investments benefit everyone in Berkeley County in several ways:

1. School district facilities are used by the Berkeley County community, including evening and weekend programs run by the Martinsburg- Berkeley County Parks and Recreation programs; holiday, sports, and summer camps when schools are not in session; and a wide range of community, arts and other special events and meetings. The planned projects to be funded by the bond will increase the facilities available for use by the Berkeley County community.

2. The planned projects to be funded by the bond will create local jobs. School district capital improvement projects create local jobs as part of the Jobs Act. The Jobs Act requires that State funded public improvements, to which any project the School Building Authority (SBA) contribute funds exceeding $500,000 in cost, must hire 75% of their workers from the local labor market.

3. Finally, student performance driven by quality instructional facilities and programs may lead to increased property values and tax revenues. The planned projects will result in an investment in new facilities that will increase opportunities for students of Berkeley County Schools. Students graduating from high school and/or local technical centers gain industry specific credentials and they are poised to be higher income earners. The planned projects will increase this opportunity for students of Berkeley County schools. Students who are better prepared for college and careers may have a positive impact on both the quality of life in the community and local property values. Increasing the opportunity for students of Berkeley County schools with the planned projects will support an educated workforce which draws economic development, provides community jobs and growth opportunities, and therefore keeps housing values trending in a positive direction through supply and demand.

BCS Bond Projects