On August 20, 2024, District 7 residents approved the referendum to construct a new Jesse Boyd Elementary School and a new addition to Mary H. Wright Elementary, with 73% of the votes in favor of the projects. Thank you, Spartanburg!

"We are incredibly grateful for the community’s decision to back these initiatives, which not only ensure a brighter future for our students but also help make education a more sustainable and rewarding career choice for our teachers and staff. As we move forward, we are focused on meeting our ambitious timeline for the new Jesse Boyd Elementary School and the early childhood wing at Mary H. Wright Elementary."

Our next step is to engage in the planning process, which will take several months to complete. We will keep our community updated along the way and it will be a collaborative process with our stakeholders. Updates will be shared on this page as the projects get underway.

WATCH: Superintendent Jeff Stevens provides an overview of District 7's capital improvement plan and the 2024 bond referendum in the video below:

On May 7, 2024, District 7 School Board members unanimously approved an August 20, 2024 bond referendum to fund two construction projects: A new Jesse Boyd Elementary School (to be located at the site of the former McCracken Middle School on Webber Road) and an 11,364 sq. ft. classroom addition to Mary H. Wright Elementary. The timing of the referendum enables both projects to have a targeted opening of August 2027.

The projects address two strategic priorities identified as critical to enabling District 7 to continue its longstanding tradition of delivering excellence for the Spartanburg community. The first is to fulfill the need for a new Jesse Boyd school facility that was identified nearly two decades ago. The second is to secure District 7’s position as one of South Carolina’s most desirable school district employers – and to combat the increasing teacher shortage at the local, state, and national levels – through innovative ways to recruit and retain high-quality teachers and staff. To accomplish the second strategic priority, District 7 would provide reduced-cost childcare for pre-K aged children of its employees, with site locations at the new Jesse Boyd Elementary and in the addition constructed at Mary H. Wright. The Mary H. Wright addition would also allow expansion of District 7's need-based 3K program for the public.  

"Today, we stand on a foundation forged by progress, innovation, and momentum – noble pursuits that define the legacy of District 7 and call us to be ever vigilant and forward-thinking. We are entrusted with preserving this foundation to ensure its relevance for future generations. Our duty is clear: to lay new groundwork that inspires and equips current and future students for the limitless horizons of the future," said Superintendent Jeff Stevens.

Voters pass referendum for new schools in Spartanburg County School District 7 – WYFF Aug 21, 2024 https://www.wyff4.com/article/voters-new-schools-spartanburg-county-district-7-1724202943/61930204

Spartanburg District 7 voters approve $47M plan to build a new school and expand another - Post and Courier Aug 21, 2024 https://www.postandcourier.com/spartanburg/politics/spartanburg-school-district-7-bond-referendum-results/article_e0ce3ff6-5f29-11ef-8f46-a76690e85853.html

Unofficial results: City residents vote on Spartanburg School District 7 referendum – Spartanburg Herald Journal Aug 20, 2024  https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/2024/08/20/results-are-in-for-spartanburg-school-district-7-referendum-vote/74858117007/

 Spartanburg Co. residents cast their votes for big decisions including funding for new school – FOX Carolina Aug 20, 2024 https://www.foxcarolina.com/2024/08/21/spartanburg-co-residents-cast-their-votes-including-possible-funding-new-school/

Bond referendum passed for Spartanburg School District 7 – WSPA Aug 20, 2024  https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/special-election-to-decide-fate-of-multiple-schools-in-spartanburg-school-district-7/

Voters to decide this week need for new schools in Spartanburg County School District 7 - WYFF, Aug 20, 2024

Voters to decide spending plan on new schools in Spartanburg County School District 7 - Post and Courier, Aug 19, 2024

Spartanburg School District 7 voters to decide on referendum Tuesday, details on voting - GoUpstate, Aug 19, 2024