Already fed up with virtual school? Horry Schools offering students chance to switch
Parents already regretting enrolling their students in Horry County Schools’ virtual program will soon have a chance to change their minds.
Superintendent Rick Maxey announced during Monday’s board meeting that the district will be opening a transfer window this week for virtual school students to switch to the brick-and-mortar option.
A message will be sent Wednesday to parents of HCS virtual students via PowerSchool parent portal notifying them of this option with a set deadline at midnight Sunday, Sept. 20, Maxey said.
The school year began last week, with those enrolled in brick-and-mortar school operating under a hybrid schedule, meaning most students are split into two groups with each attending in-person classes two day per week.
Maxey explained that, while enrollment fluctuations are expected during the beginning of they year, district officials are confident there is space available within the schools, though some requests may be denied if space isn’t available in a particular student’s base school.
He added that parents who submit requests will receive follow-up instructions and emphasized that they should continue with virtual instruction until notified that space is available.
Maxey noted that the district will also send messages Wednesday notifying parents of brick-and-mortar students that if they want to switch to virtual, they will be put on a list, though the virtual program is already “massive” with more than 14,000 students, more than most school districts in South Carolina.
Board member Janice Morreale expressed disappointment with the decision, noting that the district made clear the commitment required to enroll in virtual school, but Maxey countered that they as educators have a moral and ethical obligation to consider what’s best for the students, even if it’s an inconvenience to staff.
Brick-and-mortar students, beginning their second week of school, will continue with the hybrid learning model for at least one more week after S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control metrics showed Monday Horry County continues to have medium COVID-19 activity.
If coronavirus cases in the area decrease to low spread, the district would move to full, face-to-face instruction five days per week, while all learning would be done remotely if cases increased to high spread.
