Horry County Faces Tough Times with Educational Funding

News Summary

Horry County is struggling with potential cuts to educational funding as federal support hangs in the balance, leaving local schools uncertain about maintaining quality education. With significant reliance on Department of Education grants, recent proposals to slash funding could deeply impact programs for disadvantaged students. The community faces additional challenges from USDA cuts, but local initiatives aim to ensure future educational success.

Horry County Faces Tough Times with Educational Funding

Horry County is currently navigating a rocky terrain when it comes to funding education. As federal support teeters on the edge due to proposed cuts from the Trump administration, local schools are left wondering how they will maintain the quality of education that the community relies on. With a significant portion of funding coming from federal programs and grants through the Department of Education (DOE), the stakes couldn’t be higher.

What’s at Stake?

Recently, President Trump has announced plans to significantly slash the staff at the DOE, with Education Secretary Linda McMahon hinting at an ambitious goal: potentially shutting down the entire department. If these cuts are enacted, the responsibilities of the DOE would likely be shifted to other state agencies, creating uncertainty about how Horry County would adapt.

The Sun News took a closer look at the potential losses by diving into the government’s spending data via USASpending.gov. What they found is alarming. Horry County benefits from several crucial DOE grants aimed at enhancing educational success.

Key Grants for Horry County Schools

• Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) Student Support Services – Trio Elite Scholars
  • Total: $1,330,392
  • Paid: $1,094,337
  • Period: Sept. 1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2025
  • Purpose: Aims to support disadvantaged students in completing their programs and boosting their chances of transferring to four-year colleges.
• Horry-Georgetown Trio Upward Bound
  • Total: $959,358
  • Paid: $591,202
  • Period: Sept. 1, 2022 – Aug. 31, 2025
  • Purpose: Helps eligible students gain skills essential for higher education, including veterans and first-generation students.
• Institutional Capacity for Achieving Resilience and Effectiveness (ICARE)
  • Total: $799,601
  • Paid: $307,991
  • Period: Oct. 1, 2023 – Aug. 30, 2025
  • Purpose: Focuses on improving management and academic quality at HGTC.
• Special Education – Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities
  • Total: $499,752
  • Paid: $209,485
  • Period: Oct. 1, 2023 – Aug. 30, 2025
  • Purpose: Builds capacity at Coastal Carolina University to create leaders in early childhood special education.

USDA Cuts Further Challenge Local Schools

As if the threat of DOE budget cuts weren’t enough, the USDA has also announced a reduction in two federal programs that used to deliver over $1 billion annually to schools and food banks. Horry County is feeling the pressure from these cuts. The last funding received from the USDA came to $197,307 for purchasing local produce for schools during the 2023-24 school year. Fortunately, the cuts will not affect the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, which allows all enrolled students in Horry County Schools (HCS) to receive free meals. As an added bonus, the CEP program in South Carolina has recently expanded to include students on Medicaid, assuring all HCS schools can benefit for the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

Safety and Budget Initiatives to Address Issues

Meanwhile, the Horry County Schools Board of Education is taking proactive measures by proposing a new Safety and Security committee. This new committee could play a pivotal role in reviewing budgets specifically related to enhancing safety in schools. Following a recent incident at Myrtle Beach Middle School involving a weapon, such measures are crucial for the peace of mind of parents and educators alike.

Additionally, the school board is pursuing the Child Early Reading Development and Education Program (CERDEP) funding to bolster early learning initiatives. Despite looming federal cuts, the 2024-2025 Horry County School District budget looks promising, totaling $1.16 billion without increasing local taxes. It’s essential to note that 86.4% of the operating budget is allocated to employee salaries and benefits, while the remaining 13.6% goes to vital resources like supplies and technology.

Looking Ahead

As Horry County grapples with these educational funding challenges, the community is hopeful that its leaders can navigate this complicated landscape and protect the future of local education. The road ahead may be rocky, but with teamwork and commitment, better days for Horry County Schools could lie ahead.

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Additional Resources

• AOL News
• Myrtle Beach Online
• WPDE News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Educational Funding
• Google Search: Horry County School Budget