Dowling led district well

By Staff Reports

Thomas Edward Calhoun "TEC" Dowling presided over the Fort Mill school district during some of its most tumultuous years of growth. His lasting legacy is to have left the district in good shape to handle the challenges it continues to face.

Dowling, who lost a long battle to cancer Saturday at age 61, was superintendent of the Fort Mill school district from 1997 to 2005. During his tenure, the student population grew from just under 4,000 to nearly 7,000.

On his watch in 1999, the district passed a hard-fought $49.3 million bond package -- a pared-down version of one that failed in 1998 -- to pay for three elementary schools, renovation of Fort Mill Primary into a full elementary school and the conversion of Fort Mill Elementary into a high school annex. Dowling also helped spearhead a $62.55 million bond package in 2004 that included a second high school and new middle school.

Despite onrushing change, Fort Mill schools have continued to excel. They still rank among the finest in the state, year in and year out.

Ultimately, Dowling might best be remembered in Fort Mill for having the foresight to press the school board to adopt a $2,500-per-rooftop impact fee on new construction to help pay for building new schools. The Fort Mill district was the only district in the state to adopt this option -- and just in time, too.

The state Legislature later outlawed the impact fees, but Fort Mill was "grandfathered" in. Overall, the fees have accounted for $24 million in revenue for the district since they were adopted in 1997.

Dowling, however, will be fondly remembered not only for what he did for the community but also for who he was. He was an educator for 35 years, a tireless advocate for education and a dedicated public servant.

He also was a personal friend to many in the community and one who was active in community affairs. He had excellent communication skills that he put to good use in lobbying the Legislature and as an advocate for the Fort Mill school system.

He retired in 2004 to spend more time traveling, fishing, playing golf and spending time with his family. We regret the time to do that was so short, and we extend our sympathies to his family and friends.