A $30 million distribution from the Savannah River Site settlement money could bring a new Career and Technology Center to Aiken sooner than expected.
The district began discussing a new CTC back in 2014 during the penny sales tax campaign. However, at least four other projects were priorities for that funding. Any money remaining would go toward work on a new CTC.
Then came South Carolina Gov. Henry McMasters’ announcement that the district was in line to receive money from the $525 million SRS settlement.
During a Dec. 15 briefing with local news outlets, Aiken County Schools Superintendent King Laurence said state Sen. Tom Young (R-Aiken) was approached about the settlement money. Young suggested if the district could come up with matching funds it might get money from the disbursements.
MORE: Carving up the SRS settlement money pie
“Thinking that with our match, through the penny sales tax, we will be able to create a true state-of-the-art center and use the space that is available on Aiken Technical College’s campus,” explained Laurence. “That would also allow us to collaborate and cooperate on programming, which would create so many more opportunities for our students; not only our K-12 students at county public schools, but also adult students at a technical college.”
CTC Principal Kenny Lott said funding to build a new school is a game changer and more.
“It is also a life changer for our students here because our students have an opportunity to learn in a state-of-the-art facility with standardized equipment that mirrors what they will see in the industry,” he said. “We do a great job of preparing our students to be career ready post high school. However, we also need equipment and facilities that they can expect to see out there in the workforce, which will make them more marketable.”
The state General Assembly still must approve the governor’s recommendations on how to distribute the money.
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“Then we’ve got architects ready to go ahead and start to design and we’ll be able to begin building. Typically, it takes anywhere from 18 to 24 months to bring a new facility online”, said Laurence. “If we were able to get started this spring or this summer, you know, we could be finished by late 2024, which would be a great, aggressive timeline for getting this done.”
Laurence said the district will hold onto the land the current CTC is on, anticipating it may be needed in the future for a new school.
McMaster called upon the General Assembly to pass the settlement funds in a stand-alone bill to allow for the funds to be appropriated immediately upon his approval. If the General Assembly adds the settlement funds to the FY 2022/23 General Appropriations Act the money will not be available until July 1, 2022.
The settlement money, originally $600 million until $75 million was paid to the attorneys, stems from the Department of Energy’s failed mixed oxide fuel fabrication that was to be built at SRS along with the weapons grade plutonium that was brought to the state to be converted into fuel pellets for reactor fuel assemblies.
In addition to the money, the settlement calls for the Department of Energy to remove the plutonium stored at SRS. It must be removed no later than 2037.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
