Junk Removal in James Island, SC

The first challenges to the S.C. High School League’s reclassification of its member schools began on Tuesday, as 12 schools appealed their placement in the league's realignment for the 2024-26 school years.

Ten more schools will make their appeals on Wednesday.

School officials made their cases to the league’s executive committee, and can take their appeals to the league’s appellate panel later this week. A total of 22 schools statewide are lodging appeals with the executive committee.

Most of the appeals center around the SCHSL's decision to use a multiplier to determine student enrollments for its purposes, with students attending a school from outside of its assigned attendance zone counting three times. The multiplier was installed in an effort to address competitive-balance issues, with private and charter schools dominating state championships in lower classifications in recent years.

Three Charleston-area schools made their appeals on Tuesday.

James Island Charter, moved to Class AAAAA in reclassification, had its request to remain in AAAA denied. Burke, moved up to Class AA, had its appeal to remain in Class A denied.

Charleston Math & Science, moved up to Class AAA from Class A, won its appeal to remain in Class A for the next two years.

Bishop England, bumped up from Class AA to AAAA, will have its appeal to move to Class AAA heard on Wednesday.

Columbia's Gray Collegiate Academy, a sports-oriented charter school and a center of much of the competitive-balance debate, was bumped up two classifications, from AA to AAAA, by the league's multiplier. The school requested to play in Class AAA, but was denied by a vote of 12-3.

James Island officials made their case to remain AAAA by saying the school was willing to remain in Region 7-AAAA, which includes Colleton County and Beaufort-area schools. The school said it was willing to accept a considerable increase in travel expenses over what it would incur in a local AAAAA region.

Members of the committee noted that James Island’s attendance numbers, which total 1,968 including the multiplier, would place the school in Class AAAAA even without the multiplier, but only because the league has increased the number of AAAAA schools to 56.

After discussion, the committee voted 14-1 to deny the request to remain in AAAA.

Charleston Math & Science, which is currently in Class A, was reclassified to AAA by the league. The school, which is not competitive for state titles in most programs, hinted that a move to AAA could result in the school closing all of its athletics programs. School officials said the athletic department operates at a deficit as a Class A school.

According to the multiplier numbers, CMS would be the smallest school in AAA with 672 students, and would have almost 400 actual students fewer than two schools, Dillon and Newberry, just ahead of them in the AAA list.

The committee decided by a vote of 12-3 to allow CMS to remain in Class A for the next two years.

Burke appealed a move from Class A to AA based on a decline in competitiveness, even though its attendance numbers are solidly in Class AA even without the multiplier. Enrollment numbers, however, are in a steady decline; Burke's multiplier attendance number is 469.

The committee voted 14-1 to put Burke in Class AA. Burke could be reassigned to Class A in the next reclassification in 2026.

In other appeals on Tuesday, Abbeville High was denied (by 9-5) an appeal to be assigned to Class A. Abbeville is currently listed as the smallest AA school in the state (379 students with the multiplier), while three schools in Class A have larger attendance numbers. Abbeville will appeal the decision to the appellate panel.

Seneca High’s appeal to remain in Class AAA was denied (14-1), and the school will be assigned to AAAA.

Fox Creek won its appeal (by 11-3) to move to Class AAA. Fox Creek was originally bumped from Class AA to Class AAAA in the realignment.

Southside Christian, a private school in Simponsville, was denied (by 9-5) its appeal to move from Class AAA to AA. Southside Christian was moved from Class A to AAA in the recent reclassification with a multiplier attendance number of 676.

Brashier Middle College, a charter school in the upstate, was assigned to Class AAA, a move up from Class A. The school appealed to be classified to Class AA and the committee granted that request by a vote of 12-4.

High Point Academy, a Class A school in Spartanburg, was moved to Class AAA after use of the multiplier. The school appealed to stay in Class A, but was denied. However, the committee did vote to place the school into Class AA.

Horse Creek Academy of North Augusta, moving into the SCHSL for the first time, was classified to AAA. However, the school offers only 10 varsity sports and one junior varsity program, and does not field a football program. The committee voted to put the school in Class A.

St. Joseph’s Catholic School of Greenville, currently in Class A, was reclassified to Class AAA and requested to be placed in Class AA. The committee denied the request by 12-2.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A proposed storage facility and at least ten new homes could be coming to Dills Bluff Road on James Island if one developer’s sale moves forward.

But some neighbors say after months of seeing the plans change, they say they still aren’t pleased with the proposal.

The plans have changed for 6.5 acres of Dills Bluff Road on James Island. Earlier plans included at least 20 homes with around 20,000 square feet of commercial space. After the town denied that plan in October, the new proposal involves a new storage facility with at least ten new homes.

“A storage unit facility is incredibly inappropriate for this area,” James Island resident Casey Buchanan says. “Yes, some of the parcel is zoned commercial because it’s right next to the shopping center here. But that zoning was done 20 years ago before all that we knew about flooding.”

Buchanan adds this will have an impact on property value.

“Really doing anything that reduces our resilience to storms as an island is really just incredibly foolish,” Buchanan says. “And I would be very cautious if I were to be — if I was buying a home now, buying in this area, especially if this plan is slated to go forward.”

John Peters, who lives in Whitehouse Plantation right behind this property, says he’s heard from more long-time residents that the flooding is worse during storms now than it was during Hurricane Hugo.

“Not making a problem where we have to rethink Dills Bluff Road because we’re already rethinking Folly Road,” Peters says.

Peters has created numerous petitions, with his current online one having over 960 signatures voting against this new proposal. He says this greenspace should be partially preserved and put to better use.

“Create a space that allows food trucks, a food truck radio or something that has a market area like they do downtown,” Peters said.

The two say the developer, Taylor Consulting Group, hasn’t had any meetings with the public since the original denial of the first plan.

The proposed plan has numerous grand trees slated to stay, but Buchanan says that’s not enough.

“They’re critical for managing stormwater on an urban sea island, which is what James Island is,” Buchanan said. “We don’t have a lot of these sponge forests left.”

The town of James Island says this is now a build-by-right property, which means Taylor Consulting Group has the right to build what they want under the right density with no more votes. The sale from the James Island Public Service District to the developer is still under contract.

“They may say they care about James Island,” Peters said. “Caring about James Island would be preserving James Island at this point.”

Taylor Consulting Group did not respond to a request for comment.

Residents say the next James Island Public Service District meeting is Feb. 26 at James Island Fire Station #1 at 7 p.m. and it’s one of the last chances to voice your opinion publicly before the sale could be finalized on March 1.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Ditches running through a James Island neighborhood are still holding several inches of water from Monday’s storm, frustrating some residents who say they don’t know who is responsible for maintaining the ditches.

Kat Skover lives on James Island in a neighborhood near the intersection of Folly and Fort Johnson Roads.

She says the standing water attracts flies and mosquitos and impacts her ability to play outside with her daughter.

“We got the house so that we could be in the backyard and hang out outside but with the difficulty of all the drainage and the water it can be really difficult to keep the yard in a state that is enjoyable,” she says.

The water can also affect the safety of the roadways, she says.

“Some streets will even have water on the street for a day or two following a heavy rain,” she says.

Her neighbor, Nicholas Connolly, says the ditches fill up fast during a storm and will stay filled for days.

“The ground is really soft, and if you walk around your feet will sink into your yard,” he says. “I’ve not once seen the city come and redo the ditches.”

Skover says she’s called the James Island Public Service District for help but got waitlisted.

“We’re on a schedule we’ve heard of, but that was several months ago,” she says.

The neighborhood sits in the jurisdiction of the Town of James Island.

James Island Mayor Brook Lyon says the problem is typically caused by clogged pipes under driveways. If the town is alerted of a drainage problem, they’ll come clean it out with a shovel, she says.

If it’s packed too hard or the driveway is too wide, they’ll call Charleston County or the South Carolina Department of Transportation for help with a vacuum truck.

The town doesn’t have any record of drainage complaints from the neighborhood, according to Lyon.

She encourages anyone with an issue to file a complaint on the Town’s website under the “MyTOJI” tab, or by calling Town Hall at 843-795-4141.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The sanctuary of a Baptist church nearly destroyed in a devastating fire will finally reopen this weekend two and a half years after it was struck by lightning and went up in flames.

The fire happened at Fort Johnson Baptist Church on Camp Road on James Island on Sept. 9, 2021.

“Remembering this date and everything that comes from that, I think it speaks to God’s faithfulness since then,” Marty Middleton, the pastor of Fort Johnson Baptist Church, says.

The fire started in the steeple after it was struck by lightning. The wood smoldered for hours until the entire sanctuary was engulfed in flames and thick, dark smoke billowed through the air.

“The ceiling had collapsed, and the steeple was laying inside of it,” Middleton says. “It was pouring down rain that day. [It was] just a really dark and depressing day.”

That day is now behind them, and after years of work, $5.4 million spent and lots of prayers, the doors of the sanctuary will reopen for Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. on March 17.

“It was the community, it was the people, that made it happen,” Venessa Dennis, a member of the church, says. “It’s been an adventure. It’s been hard, but great stuff comes out of a struggle.”

The damage from the fire, smoke and water from fire hoses forced the church to tear the sanctuary walls down to just cinderblocks. Now, new chairs fill the room, new instruments sit on the stage and new carpet, paint and lights decorate the space.

“We’ll have one unified sound system that’s state of the art and sounds amazing,” Middleton says.

While insurance covered a portion of the rebuild, church leaders say donations from the community played a major part in funding the new sanctuary.

“Getting to see the look on people’s faces on Sunday morning is going to be super exciting,” worship leader Landed Allen says.

The church never missed a Sunday service, even immediately after the fire, Middleton says. They have been operating out of another building, but he and the congregation are overjoyed to return to the sanctuary in just a few days.

“It brings a sense of excitement and anticipation for seeing what God has done over the past two years and only continues that exponentially better,” Middleton says.

If you would like to learn more information about the renovation or to donate, click here.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — For over a decade, Mayor Bill Woolsey has served over James Island. But on Nov. 7, a new leader will take over.

There are three candidates hoping to take his place.

Candidate Josh Stokes is not new to the political arena after serving on town council for five years. Stokes said he deserves to be the next mayor due to the experience and public service he can bring to the town.

"My experience overall, that’s my experience in my daily life as an attorney," Stokes said. "And I work on very complex issues for people when I’m addressing it for them and finding the right solution and not the easy solution is something I do on a daily basis."

Stokes said if elected, he will focus on development, infrastructure, and flooding.

"Development is one of those, infrastructure related to not just access on the road but pedestrians sidewalk access," Stokes said about the issues he will push for if elected. "Drainage and flooding related to storm water flooding. Those are major issues which we can make a big impact on but if we gotta do that, we need to address them on a daily basis, it cant be reactive in trying to do things, we have to be proactive."

Candidate Brook Lyon has never run for a political office before, but she hopes her love and passion for the Town of James Island will win voters over on Nov. 7. Lyon said she is not new to working hard for the community.

"I’m a hard worker, I’m retired, I have time and the energy and the love for the people and the love for the island," Lyon said. "I’m not a politician, what is a politician? Not me. I’ve never run for public office before and I don’t plan to run for another one. I just want to serve the people, I’m a business woman and a community leader and a community advocate and I’m for the people."

Lyon said if elected, she will bring her work ethic and business skills to the office. Lyon will focus on preserving the beauty of the island.

"We definitely need to prioritize our environment and preserve our natural resources," Lyon said as she reflected on her major issues she will focus on if elected. "We also need to improve drainage and flooding. We need to enforce our current rules and regulations and tweak some to make things better. I do believe government is for the people, we need to be more responsive and more transparent."

Candidate Gresham Meggett III believes he should be the next Mayor of James Island because he knows the town inside and out due his family having roots in the town.

"I’m a eighth generation Charlestonian here and I grew up on James Island and my whole family grew up on James Island for generations and basically James Islanders just want to be heard," said Gresham Meggett III who is running to be the Mayor of James Island. "We need to focus on the people that already live here and quick worrying about this development, we don’t need any more development on James Island until the people who live here are taken care of."

Meggett said if elected, he will focus on the older residents of James Island and make sure their voices are being heard.

"Our ditches are not being dug out and so our neighborhoods are flooded, especially with all this new building going on," said Meggett as he thought about the policies he would focus on if elected. "I think we need to address the ditches and I’m a big proponent of individual property rights so zoning is a big thing for me, I don’t think some of the zoning is appropriate for James Island."

Early voting ends Friday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. Polls open on Election Day, Nov. 7, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. More info on your polling location can be found on the SC Votes website.