HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) –The last time Horry County students were in their classrooms they could carry cellphones and whichever type of backpack they liked.
South Carolina Superintendent of the Year Rick Maxey was guiding the state’s third largest school system and teachers were making $1,000 less than they are now.
As nearly 50,000 children gear up for the start of a new academic year on Monday, here are some of the biggest changes ahead for them.
Officials OK a billion dollar budget
Horry County Schools’ first-ever billion dollar spending plan was approved in June , adding base salary hikes for all employees and a longevity-based 2% step increase.
In all, the raises will cost nearly $15 million. Fixed costs for retirement and health insurance are slated to jump by $4.1 million next year.
The budget also includes hiring two safety and security program specialists and more security guards to conduct “all-day searches,” at a total price tag of $2.3 million.