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Horry County Schools' top administrators are pushing for a higher minimum starting salary for teachers as budget talks continue this month.

HCS Superintendent Clifford聽Jones on Monday, April 14, presented key areas of the proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget, which proposes a minimum starting salary of $52,015 for those with bachelor's degrees. This is up from the current $48,275.

The proposed boost comes after South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster pushed for an increase to minimum teacher salary at the end of 2024.

If passed, HCS employees would receive a 2% cost-of-living increase plus a STEP increase. Employees not eligible for a STEP increase would receive a 1.6% salary increase.

Between the teacher salary increase, cost-of-living adjustments, STEP increases and other compensation changes, it is estimated that these changes would cost around $27.8 million in the upcoming budget. Other staffing adjustments 鈥� including accounting for two new elementary schools in the Carolina Forest area, around 500 new students, special education positions and custodians 鈥� would add about $8.3 million to the budget.

In the general fund budget summary, Jones broke down the big-picture numbers.

The district's projected revenue is roughly $645 million. The projected expenditures for next year's budget is roughly $678 million. That adds up to a shortfall of about $32.6 million. That overage will be covered by the Fund Balance, which Jones says is less than last year's usage.

"This allows us to responsibly invest in our people, our programs and our growth, mainly our educators," Jones said.

Jones said that the district is still awaiting clarity from the state and from the federal level on specific information that will drive the 2025-26 budget.

A comprehensive budget plan will be presented to the HCS Board on May 5, Jones said. The finance committee will review the budget on May 19, and a public hearing and final approval of the budget is set for June 2.

The new fiscal year begins July 1, and state law requires budgets to be passed before the new fiscal year.

"This budget reflects what is best for our Horry County students," Jones said to the board.聽

Spring break and prom safety

Jones spokes to community during Monday's meeting about his desire to prioritize safety during spring break and prom season.

"Prom season is here," Jones said. "I want to remind our families, if you鈥檒l please listen up, that while prom is a time to celebrate and cherish memories, it鈥檚 a time when safety must be a top priority. We encourage parents and guardians to talk openly with their teens about making smart choices before, during and after prom."

Jones said he hopes community members will put 鈥渟afety at the center鈥� of prom season. He also emphasized the value of prioritizing safety during the upcoming spring break, which begins Friday, April 18.

"We need to help our students, our kids鈥� to plan safe transportation," he said. "Reinforce the importance of never getting into a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs. And make sure they know they can always call a parent or an adult if they need help or feel unsafe. Prom should be a night filled with joy, not regret. With a little planning, clear expectations and honest conversations from us, the adults, we can work together to ensure all of our students enjoy a safe and memorable evening."

New major proposed at ATA

A new electricity major for the Academy for Technology and Academics was proposed to the HCS Board at Monday's meeting. The major would provide students the opportunity to learn about the specifics of jobs within the electricity field and gain hands-on experience as they look to potential jobs as electrical designers, power plant operators, hardware engineers and more.

The proposal included a plan to work toward a launch in the 2026-27 school year. The program would be an option for students starting in 11th grade, with the first electricity cohort graduating in the summer of 2028.