If you live on Johns Island, you don’t need to be reminded how much the area has grown. You can see it in the new neighborhoods, the traffic along Maybank Highway and Main Road and the increasing demands on the roads and schools that serve the community.

Growth brings opportunity, but it also raises questions about how our infrastructure will keep up.

On November 3, Charleston County voters will have a say in how some of those needs are addressed. Early voting begins Monday, October 19 and runs through Saturday, October 31.

Three measures on the ballot address the continuation of the school and transportation sales taxes and a separate bond that would allow approved transportation projects to move forward sooner.

Through the YES for CHS campaign, the Charleston Metro Chamber supports a YES on all three measures. We’ve also outlined what each question means and how they work together.

So, what projects are proposed for your part of Charleston County?

Investments in Local Schools

The Charleston County School District’s proposed 2029–2034 capital program identifies several projects on Johns Island and in surrounding communities.

• Johns Island Elementary: Construction of a new classroom wing.
• Baptist Hill Middle School: Renovations and equipment improvements on the C.C. Blaney campus.
• Baptist Hill High School: A new auditorium, fine arts classrooms and renovations to the softball field.
• Edith Frierson Montessori on Wadmalaw Island: A new multipurpose room.

These projects would address different needs across local schools, including classroom space, educational facilities and opportunities for students to participate in arts and extracurricular programs.

Improvements to Roads and Connections

Transportation is another major consideration for Johns Island and the surrounding sea islands. Many residents rely on a limited number of routes to reach jobs, schools, medical appointments and neighboring communities.

The proposed Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax Program includes:

• Maybank Highway: Improvements involving the southern pitchfork and roundabout.
• Maybank Highway at Riverland Drive: Intersection reconstruction on the James Island side, identified for the first 10 years of the proposed program.
• Savannah Highway: Widening between Dobbin Road and S.C. 162.
• Main Road at Mary Ann Point Road: A new roundabout.
• S.C. 162 at Salters Hill Road in Hollywood: A new roundabout.
• S.C. 174 at S.C. 164 in Adams Run: A new roundabout.
• Seabrook Island Road: Road elevation and drainage improvements.

Some projects focus on intersections and roadway capacity, while others address the challenges of maintaining transportation infrastructure in coastal communities.

Looking Ahead

The school and transportation sales taxes have supported investments across Charleston County for decades. The proposed continuations would provide funding for another period of projects, while the transportation bond would give the county the ability to borrow against future tax revenue to advance approved work.

The needs identified in these plans will remain regardless of the election’s outcome. Without approval of the proposed extensions, the projects would not receive funding through those renewed programs, leaving decisions about alternative funding and schedules unresolved, potentially setting communities back even further.

Residents can explore the proposed investments, review how previous funds have been spent and learn more about the campaign’s position before casting their ballots.

Explore the Plans and Resources

• Understanding the Three Ballot Measures
• CCSD’s Proposed 2029–2034 School Projects
• Charleston County Transportation Project Plans
• YES for CHS Campaign and Resources
• Early Voting Information

Explore What’s Proposed in Other Communities

• Downtown Charleston
• James Island & Folly Beach
• Mt. Pleasant
• North Charleston
• West Ashley