Officials with the Dillon County Board of Education say the plan to sell $35.8 million in bonds to an investment banking firm later this week.

In December of 2007, voters in Dillon County approved a $60 million bond referendum for a one cent sales tax increase over the next 40 years to build new schools.

Officials say in about three years, they're hoping to go back and sell the additional $25 million still remaining from the bond.

The board has acquired an additional $8 million dollars in grants and loans to help pay for the projects which will cost a total of $47 million.

In Lake View, an addition to the existing middle and high schools will be built costing $6.6 million. An early childhood center is being built in Latta for $12.6 million.

Officials are hoping to hold a groundbreaking in April to start construction on a new $28 million school to replace J.V. Martin Junior High.  J.V. Martin is the more than 100-year-old school thrust into the spotlight by President Barack Obama who made a visit there during his campaign.

In 2007, part of J.V. Martin closed because it was considered to be a fire hazard. With more than 500 students, they school district had to bring in more portables and shuffle classrooms.

Construction on the new state-of-the-art middle school is scheduled to be complete by 2012. District officials say the new building will be a 21st century school, one that's second to none and a model for other schools across the nation.

The Dillon County Board of Education is expected to meet this Friday to sign papers to close the selling of the bonds.