New Safety Committee Proposed for Horry County Schools

News Summary

The Horry County Schools Board has proposed a new Safety and Security Committee aimed at enhancing safety protocols across local schools. Introduced by Board Chairman David Cox, the initiative has received mixed reactions from board members. Key discussions remain around the necessity of another oversight layer, as many believe existing measures, including a qualified Safety Director, are sufficient. The board delayed a final decision until Superintendent Clifford Jones completes his initial evaluation period, emphasizing community transparency in budget utilization.

New Safety Committee Proposed for Horry County Schools Amid Mixed Reactions

In an exciting turn of events in Horry County, a new committee dedicated to safety and security in schools has been proposed by the Horry County Schools Board. The Safety and Security Committee aims to bolster the safety measures at schools throughout the district, ensuring a secure and supportive environment for students and staff alike.

The idea for this committee was introduced by Board Chairman David Cox, garnering support from the district’s newly appointed Superintendent, Clifford Jones. Superintendent Jones believes that the creation of this committee is not only timely but also vital for enhancing the overall safety protocols within the schools.

Aiming for Improvement

The proposed committee would take on multiple responsibilities, including overseeing the budget for safety-related expenditures, evaluating how effective current security measures are, managing policies concerning student and employee discipline, and collaborating with external municipalities and law enforcement agencies.

Mixed Reactions from Board Members

micromanagement, suggesting that the school district already has a well-qualified Executive Director of Safety and Security, Mike Frederick, on staff for less than a year. She argues that adding another layer of oversight may not be necessary.

Adding to the conversation, District 7 board member Janet Graham raised a valid point regarding the discussions about safety potentially leading to increased uncertainty among parents and staff. The mixed feedback from board members indicates that further deliberation is needed before moving forward.

Decision Postponed

Assessment of Referral Numbers

1,000 referrals from high schools, while middle schools actually witnessed a decrease of about 100 referrals, and elementary schools saw a slight rise of just 10 referrals. Given that there are over 14,000 students enrolled, some members noted that these numbers should be viewed in context as relatively minimal in conjunction with the new policies.

Future Steps

ten members, among which three members will be tasked with compiling an overall report based on insights gathered during Jones’ tenure in the initial review period. The findings from this safety measures evaluation are scheduled to be presented at the next board meeting on January 27.

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Additional Resources

• WBTW: Horry County Schools Delays Action on Safety Committee
• WMBF News: Horry County Schools Board Temporarily Tables Ideas for Safety Security Committee
• My Horry News: Horry County Schools Leaders Discuss Creating Safety and Security Committee
• WPDE: Horry County Schools New Safety Committee and Policies
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School Safety