Latest news with #HorryCountySchools'
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Hoax threat at Carolina Forest High School is third in 8 days
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Carolina Forest High School was placed in a 'hold' situation Thursday morning for the third time in just over a week after yet another hoax threat, authorities said. The incident wrapped up 'very quickly and calmly,' Horry County police spokesperson Mikayla Moskov told News13. No additional details about the incident were immediately available. In an emailed statement, Horry County Schools' spokesperson Lisa Bourcier said the 'hold' was brief. 'This morning Carolina Forest High School was notified by law enforcement of a potential incident near their school and in an abundance of caution, the staff and students briefly utilized our standard response protocol, 'Hold' protocol,' Bourcier said. 'Shortly after they went into a 'Hold' protocol, they received the all-clear from law enforcement and students are continuing with their normal school day.' During a 'hold' situation, school hallways are cleared and students and staff remain in their classrooms or areas and continue as usual until administrators issue an all-clear. It was the second hoax threat of the week at the school. Horry County officers searched the school after a reported threat on Tuesday, but none was found. In that incident, a caller said he had a Glock and wanted to 'end it all,' according to a police report provided Thursday to News13. The caller said he was tired of getting bullied and was going to 'take everyone out.' Police also investigated an incident on Feb. 19 after someone called law enforcement about a possible threat in a school restroom. A police report said the call came in shortly before lunchtime and that the caller said they had a bomb and knives in a restroom on campus. That incident led to a 'hold' of 25 minutes while authorities investigated. There have been other similar threats at the school. Last August, Trenton Alexander Brown, 20, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to first-offense making a bomb threat or conveying false information about a bomb threat. He was given a sentence under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed six years in prison, but the judge suspended the sentence to 18 months' probation instead. Two local juveniles were also arrested last April in connection with a string of threats at the school that included the one made by Brown. Horry County's police chief at the time, Joseph Hill, said those responsible would 'face justice.' * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Across-the-board pay raises for teachers could cost Horry County Schools $8M+
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Horry County school district leaders may spend millions of dollars to ensure first-year teachers start at $50,000 — fulfilling a top agenda item for Gov. Henry McMaster. Right now, Horry County Schools' starting salary for first-year teachers with just a bachelor's degree is $48,275 — or 29th statewide. Bumping the figure to $50,000 while adjusting other pay schedules would cost about $8.3 million, officials said on Monday. 'We're competitive at the higher end. At the lower end, not so much,' chief finance officer John Gardner told school board members. Teacher pay has been a centerpiece of McMaster's administration since he stepped into the governor's office when beginning salaries were just $30,113. The current minimum of $47,000 marks a 56% jump and puts the state ahead of Georgia and North Carolina. 'In this race for the future, we must be the fastest,' McMaster said during his Jan. 29 State of the State address. Superintendent Clifford Jones said he plans to launch a 'fraud and waste tipline' that can be called anonymously for suggestions on how the district can cut costs. 'Every taxpayer dollar is important for this school system, because kids are at the heart of what we do,' he said. 'They can't wait for a new superintendent to get his feet on the ground. They can't wait for training that's coming. We can go fast here,' he said. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
‘Do what's right by the kids': Horry County Schools' cell phone policy goes into effect
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Parents expressed mixed feelings about the personal electronic device policy that went into effect in Horry County Schools on Monday. To keep receiving state funds, HCS is not letting its students use their devices, like cell phones and smartwatches, in school — with some exceptions. According to Horry County Schools' website, the policy is meant to create a school environment and learning experience free from electronic distractions. Some parents, like Sean Pope, agree that students should not text or play games on their phones during class. However, he thinks kids should be able to contact their parents during breaks like lunch. 'I feel like, as the school system should, they should do what's right by the kids,' Pope said. 'But you got to make the parents feel comfortable. You have to make the parents know, 'You know what? My kids are OK in the school.'' 'The policy shouldn't be to, really, hinder parents from being in contact with their children,' he added. 'They are our children. You wouldn't send your kid to the mall with no phone. You don't let your kids go to friends' houses with no phone. You know, you don't know these people at this school, other than the teachers that your kids come in contact with.' Devices must be powered off once students enter their school building. Students must keep their devices in their lockers or their clear backpacks until the end of each school day. Exceptions are if devices are authorized for classroom use, if a student needs a device for medical or educational reasons, or if a student works at an emergency organization like a fire department. Additionally, if a school has an emergency, the administration may decide that students can use their devices to contact their parents or guardians. 'Parents are not trying to call the English teacher, or the principal, or the janitor to say, 'Hey. Have you seen such-and-such during the school shooting?'' Pope said. 'No, you're trying to get in contact with your child.' Each level of schooling has its own violation policies. However, overall, if students do not follow the policy, their parents or guardians need to pick up the device from school. A parent commented on News13's Facebook post on Monday. 'I got a call this morning that my son's phone was taken, and I have to come pick it up,' the parent said. 'He wasn't even using it, but because it was on in his backpack, and they can see through the clear backpacks, they took it.' Also, for every violation or refusal to give up their personal device, students can face in-school and out-of-school suspensions or an evidentiary hearing. Pope says the policy and consequences make school seem like 'prison.' 'Your job is to teach my children,' he said. 'My children's job is to respect the fact that you're in the classroom teaching. But you, as the teacher, should not tell me when I can and can't talk to my kid.' However, some parents think the policy will help students. One of these parents commented on News13's Facebook post. 'You do not need to call or text your child during the day,' the parent said. 'If it is an emergency, call the office. If they need to reach you, they can go to the office. They need to break the [cell phone] addiction.' An HCS spokesperson said the district's goal is to help students understand the new policy, and if parents have concerns about the policy or disciplinary measures regarding their student, they should reach out to the school's administrator. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
