As Horry grows, these 5 crowded schools could get more classrooms under $6 million plan
As people move to Horry County in droves, its existing schools are buckling under the demand of more students needing an education.
Overcrowding in schools prompted the district to consider a $6.7-million plan to add 36 classrooms and three restrooms across five tightly packed schools.
The county has been growing rapidly for years. As a result, it was named the fastest growing county in South Carolina and one of the fastest growing in the country. Between 2010 and 2020 alone, the county added more than 80,000 residents, the U.S. Census says.
The impact is evident in the county’s schools.
Across the district, 23 of 54 schools are in the red zone, meaning students aren’t allowed to transfer into them because they’re operating with at least 95% capacity.
Joe Burch, the district’s planning coordinator, presented a plan Monday in which five schools could see additional classrooms added.
Those classrooms would be “modular,” meaning they’re essentially inside portable buildings.
River Oaks Elementary, Waccamaw Elementary, Carolina Forest High School and Myrtle Beach High School could gain eight classrooms.
Carolina Forest Elementary could gain four classrooms.
River Oaks Elementary, Waccamaw Elementary and Carolina Forest High School would also get an additional restroom under the proposal.
For each of the schools set to receive eight additional classrooms, the cost would be around $1.3-1.5 million.
Carolina Forest Elementary Schools’ four additional classrooms would cost around $677,000.
The school board discussed the potential additions Monday but has yet to vote on the plan.
This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 1:46 PM.
