MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Horry County is building five new schools and that means some attendance lines will change.
Planning Coordinator Joe Burch announced Monday that the new Carolina Forest Middle School and Socastee Middle School will need attendance lines drawn up.
“We’re beginning the process now to determine what those new attendance areas will look like,” he stated.
It’s a lengthy process that includes public input. Burch hopes to submit a plan to the school board by the end of this year. He says parents should know by January.
Michelle Soles’ daughter is in 6th grade at Ocean Bay Middle.
“I think having that extra middle school will help out with the crowds and the traffic,” she said.
However, her daughter could be forced to switch schools. Soles says she thinks it will be a great transition and her daughter won’t lose touch with her classmates.
“I think the ones that she has they’ll stay in contact and they’ll go to high school together,” she said.
When mapping out attendance lines, Burch says its important to leave room for growth.
“You obviously don’t want to open a school with it being full,” he stated.
Burch says Socastee Elementary may also require a new attendance line. The Horry County School Board approved a $240 million plan to pay for the schools. All schools are expected to open by the 2017-2018 school year.