Citizens group responds to politically motivated vandalism in Summerville, North Charleston.

Over the weekend, Summerville and North Charleston residents discovered that more than a dozen 4-by-4-foot political signs promoting the upcoming May 14 school infrastructure bond referendum paid for by a local citizens group had been vandalized.

The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office has been actively investigating the incident. The public is being asked to call Lt. Rick Carson at the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office at 843-200-5722 or email him at rcarson@dorchestercountysc.gov with any information.

Any details or clues may also be emailed toinfo@dorchestertwocitizensforschoolimprovements.com.

“The expensive political signs were damaged in the shadows of the night by vandals unwilling to engage in respectful dialogue to express their views,” according to a press release from the Dorchester Two Citizens for School Improvements group. “Our community is facing overcrowded schools, and with an upcoming special election, we can address these concerns without raising taxes on residents. We ask the community to stand united against this act of hatred and anger as we enter the final days leading up to the special election that could provide needed relief for students and teachers in DD2.”

Facts about the referendum

The upcoming May 14 referendum is a special election taking place to give voters a choice on whether to extend bonds into the future from the previous 2012 school infrastructure referendum without raising taxes on residents, freeing up money to begin the construction of two new elementary schools, allowing for upgrades to facilities at each DD2 school, and providing key safety upgrades at each school to ensure children have smaller class sizes and safer schools.

By next school year, five of DD2’s schools will be considered overcrowded, and by 2025, seven will be deemed overcrowded. Over the next 10 years, Dorchester District Two projects an increase in student enrollment of 700-1,000 students annually.