Board approves $11.4 million refresh for middle-school devices and adopts state-mandated personal device policy

The Horry County Board of Education approved a technology refresh and adopted a district personal electronic device policy at its December meeting.

Shanda Allen, reporting from the technology committee, requested $11,400,000 in capital funds to refresh devices for the district’s middle schools, including Dell Latitude devices and protective gumdrop cases. Committee materials, Allen said, are based on comparisons with other counties and the funds have already been set aside in capital accounts.

Separately, the board reviewed a draft personal electronic device policy prepared in response to a state proviso. Board discussion clarified that the policy’s effective date could begin at the start of the second semester, listed as Jan. 22, 2025, and that exceptions for medical or other authorized uses would remain in place. The high-school return-of-confiscated-phone procedure was noted: high schools will require parents to retrieve confiscated phones.

Why it matters: The device purchase will affect classroom technology availability and the electronic-device policy defines use rules and implementation timing across schools. District staff said implementation feedback will be shared with the State Department of Education in April via a state questionnaire.

Board action: A motion to approve the capital-funded refresh and a separate motion to adopt the personal electronic device policy were made and approved by the board. The district will proceed with procurement and notify schools of policy implementation details and timelines.