Here’s where Horry could see new elementary schools in the coming years as county grows
Horry County could be home to four new elementary schools in the coming years as part of a proposal to curb the district’s crowding problem that followed a recent boom in population.
The district has bought two properties and is eyeing two others to build new elementary schools in the county, the district’s facilities committee said at a Monday board meeting.
The two purchased properties are in the Carolina Forest area, said vice chair Neil James, who serves on the facilities committee.
As one of the country’s fastest growing counties, Horry County added more than 80,000 residents between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census, and 23 of the county’s 54 schools are operating at more than 95% capacity, according to district figures.
The district has implemented various short-term measures to mitigate overcrowding, such as using modular classrooms at more crowded schools, but the proposal put forth by the district’s facilities committee takes aim at alleviating the issue in the long term.
The district will move forward with requesting a quote for construction of the schools, which James estimated to cost between $4 million to $5 million. Funding for the new schools has already been approved, and the quote will be brought to the board at a May meeting, James said.
The St. James area of the county could also use a new elementary school, James said, though the district is in the earlier stages of considering a new school there. Design considerations are set to begin next school year at the request of the facilities committee, and James estimated the process would cost $2 million to $3 million.
South Conway Elementary needs a replacement as well, James said, and the property has been purchased. But the road near the property needs to be developed more before the district can pursue construction further, James said. This school is also estimated to cost $2 million to $3 million.
