Board of Education at HCS
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Board News
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Board Members Recognized for Participating in State-Level Training
August 21, 2024
Six Horry County Board of Education members earned recognition from the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for achievement in the association’s 2023-2024 Boardmanship Institute.
David Koch (District 1), Debbie Edmonds (District 2), Howard Barnard (District 5), Pam Dawson (District 6), Melanie Wellons (District 8), and Neil James (Vice-Chair and District 10) all completed Level Two. Each of them received a certificate and a silver pin for their accomplishments.
The SCSBA Boardmanship Institute, established in 1982, offers a year-round training curriculum to help board members develop skills and stay abreast of state and national education issues. Workshops focus on school law, advocacy and legislation, improving board operations, leadership for improving student achievement, and other timely topics.
SCSBA is the statewide professional organization serving as a source of information, training, and advocacy for boards governing South Carolina’s public school districts.
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James Recognized For 15 Years Of School Board Service - Jan. 8, 2024
January 8, 2024
Horry County Schools (HCS) board member Neil James has been recognized by the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for 15 years of school board service.Neil James, District 10 representative, was appointed to the Horry County Board of Education in November 2009 and elected to office in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. He served as Interim Chair from May 2018 through January 2019 and is the current Vice Chair.
Veteran school board members provide vision and valuable leadership for school districts. SCSBA and the local boards are happy to honor these board members for their long-term dedication to improving student achievement in their communities.
As of this year, in South Carolina, about 43 percent of the state’s approximately 633 school district and affiliated board members had served four years or less, and about 32 percent had 10 years or more of board service.
SCSBA is a non-profit organization serving as a source of information and a statewide voice for boards governing the 73 school districts.
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Board Members Recognized For Participating In State-Level Training
August 28, 2023
Four Horry County Board of Education members earned recognition from the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for achievement in the association’s 2022-2023 Boardmanship Institute.
Melanie Wellons (District 8) completed Level One, James Edwards (District 9) and Tracy Winters (District 3) both completed Level Two, and David Cox (Chairman) completed Level Three. Each of them received a certificate for their accomplishments. Mr. Edwards and Ms. Winters each received a silver pin for completing Level Two, while Mr. Cox received a gold pin for completing Level Three.
The SCSBA Boardmanship Institute, established in 1982, offers a year-round training curriculum to help board members develop skills and stay abreast of state and national education issues. Workshops focus on school law, advocacy and legislation, improving board operations, leadership for improving student achievement, and other timely topics.
SCSBA is the statewide professional organization serving as a source of information, training, and advocacy for boards governing South Carolina’s 73 public school districts.
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HCS Welcomes Elected Board Members - Jan. 9, 2023
Jan 9, 2023
Horry County Schools would like to congratulate the recently elected members of the Horry County Board of Education and welcome the three of them who are new to the board.
On January 9th, 2023, HCS held a ceremony in which the recently elected Horry County Board of Education members took their oath of office.
The members who took the oath of office are as follows:
- David Cox, Chairman (formerly representing District 4)
- David Koch, District 1 (new)
- Debbie Edmonds, District 2 (new)
- Tracy Winters, District 3 (re-elected)
- Pam Dawson, District 6 (new)
- Janet Graham, District 7 (re-elected)
- Melanie Wellons, District 8 (re-elected)
- Neil James, District 10 (re-elected)
The HCS website has a page about the Board of Education where you can find information about the districts, board member contact information, board meeting times and agendas, recordings of board meetings, and other information about the board. While board members’ biographical information is available on the website (including for board members who were not up for re-election), we wanted to take the opportunity to share some information about those who were recently elected.
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As chairman of the board, David Cox represents all of Horry County. He was first elected to the Horry County Board of Education in November 2008 as the representative for District 4, which includes parts of St. James and Socastee within the Burgess community. This is his first term of office as the chairman. He and his wife, Karen, live in the Market Common area on the south end of Myrtle Beach. Together they have eight children and 16 grandchildren. Mr. Cox graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in journalism and is presently employed by Elliott Realty as a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Elliot Coastal Living.
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David Koch (pronounced “cook”) was elected in November 2022 as the representative for District 1, which includes parts of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. He is the director of young adult services at Sea Haven, serving youth and young adults who are experiencing housing insecurity or crisis situations. Previously, Mr. Koch has worked with Shoreline Behavioral Health as a substance abuse specialist and Brunswick Christian Recovery Center as an interim director. In addition, he completed his internship at Teen Challenge of Georgetown County. Mr. Koch is very active in Waterbrook Community Church and is also on the leadership team of North Strand Celebrate Recovery as a training coach. He also serves as a board member of the North Myrtle Beach High School Band of Chiefs Boosters.
A native of Michigan, he and his wife, Jeanne, have been residents of Horry County since 1985. They have three boys, their youngest graduating from North Myrtle Beach High School in 2023. Mr. Koch earned a bachelor’s in human services from Purdue University with a concentration in family/youth services and administration.
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Debbie Edmonds was elected in November 2022 as the representative for District 2, which includes parts of Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach. Formerly an educator and school administrator, she is currently the owner of Integra Fabrics, located in Loris, SC. She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in K-8 education from the University of Georgia and a specialist degree in education administration from Clemson University. She and her husband, Ron, have one child and three grandchildren.
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The Horry County Board of Education appointed Tracy Winters in November 2021 to fulfill the unexpired term of her late husband, Ray Winters. She was officially elected to be the representative for District 3, which includes parts of Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach, in November 2022. Mrs. Winters was the office manager for The Law Offices of Ray H. Winters, P.C. in Myrtle Beach, and she received her associate degree from Faulkner University in Bay Minette, Alabama. She has one daughter, Alyssa.
Tracy Winters served on the School Improvement Council at Ocean Bay Elementary School, was an active member of the PTO, and supported the Booster Club at Carolina Forest High School.
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Pam Dawson was elected in November 2022 as the representative for District 6, which includes parts of the Carolina Forest, St. James, and Socastee attendance areas. She is a retired professional telecommunications program manager with a focus on the defense industry with companies in the aerospace sector. She has previously served on the Horry County Planning Commission, the Horry County Parks and Open Space Board, the Greater Burgess Community Association, and the Prince Creek West Road and Parks Association. She received a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration from the University of Alabama.
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Janet Graham was appointed to the Horry County Board of Education in September 2012 and was elected in November 2014. She represents District 7, which includes parts of Carolina Forest and Conway. Ms. Graham is an area manager for the Myrtle Beach Area Small Business Development Center at Coastal Carolina University. She received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Coastal Carolina University in 2000 and a Master of Business Administration degree from Winthrop University in 2004. She and her husband, Gregory, have three children and nine grandchildren.
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Melanie Wellons was appointed to the Horry County Board of Education in April 2021 as the representative for District 8, which includes parts of the Carolina Forest, Conway, and Forestbrook attendance areas. She was officially elected to the position in November 2022. Ms. Wellons is a Coastal Carolina University graduate and the vice president of Arnold’s Pools. In addition, Ms. Wellons served five years on the Carolina Forest High School Improvement Council and five years on the Carolina Forest Advisory Board. She and her husband, David T. Wellons, Jr, have two children: Madalyn Wellons and David T. Wellons, III.
- Neil James was appointed to the Horry County Board of Education in November 2009 and elected to office in 2010. Since then, he has represented District 10, which includes parts of the Carolina Forest, Conway, Green Sea Floyds, and Loris attendance areas. He served as interim chairman from May 2018 through January 2019 and as vice chairman from January 2019 until January 2023. Mr. James is a professional engineer with two Bachelor of Science degrees in agricultural engineering and electrical engineering from Clemson University and a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University. He is employed by Santee Cooper. He and his wife, Felicia, have two daughters.
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Board Members James Edwards and Tracy Winters Recognized for Participating in State-Level Training
December 5, 2022
James Edwards, Horry County Board of Education District 9 Representative, and Tracy Winters, Horry County Board of Education District 3 Representative, earned recognition by the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for achievement in the association’s 2021-2022 Boardmanship Institute. Mr. Edwards and Mrs. Winters each completed Level One within one year and received a certificate for their accomplishments.
The SCSBA Boardmanship Institute, established in 1982, offers a year-round training curriculum to help board members develop skills and stay abreast of state and national education issues. Workshops focus on school law, advocacy and legislation, improving board operations, leadership for improving student achievement, and other timely topics.
Statewide, SCSBA recognized 79 school board members for reaching one of six levels for the 2020–2021 year, and each year, about 80 percent of board members statewide attend at least one training session.
SCSBA is the statewide professional organization serving as a source of information, training, and advocacy for the state’s 77 school district boards, county boards, and state special schools.
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Janet Graham Recognized for 10 Years of School Board Service
January 5, 2022
Horry County Schools (HCS) board member Janet Graham has been recognized by the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for 10 years of school board service.Janet Graham was appointed to the Horry County Board of Education in September 2012 and was elected in November 2014. Ms. Graham is an Area Manager for the Myrtle Beach Area Small Business Development Center at Coastal Carolina University. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Coastal Carolina University in 2000 and a Master of Business Administration from Winthrop University in 2004.
This year, 34 school board members from throughout the state will receive special lapel pins for reaching the 10 or 15-year benchmark. Another 18 board members from across our state will commemorate their 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, or 40th, year of school board service.
Veteran school board members provide vision and valuable leadership for school districts. SCSBA and the local boards are happy to honor these board members for their long-term dedication to improving student achievement in their communities.
In January 2022, in South Carolina, about 43 percent of the state’s approximately 664 school district and affiliate board members had served four years or less, and about 26 percent had 10 years or more of board service.
SCSBA is a non-profit organization serving as a source of information as a statewide voice for boards governing the 77 school districts.
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Shanda Allen Recognized for Participating in State-Level Training
August 23, 2021
Shanda Allen, Horry County Board of Education District 11 Representative, earned recognition by the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for achievement in the association’s 2020-2021 Boardmanship Institute. Ms. Allen reached Level Two by earning 40 points within one year and received a certificate and silver pin for her accomplishments.
The SCSBA Boardmanship Institute, established in 1982, offers a year-round training curriculum to help board members develop skills and stay abreast of state and national education issues. Workshops focus on school law, advocacy and legislation, improving board operations, leadership for improving student achievement, and other timely topics.
Statewide, SCSBA recognized 79 school board members for reaching one of six levels for the 2020–2021 year, and each year, about 80 percent of board members statewide attend at least one training session.SCSBA is the statewide professional organization serving as a source of information, training, and advocacy for the state’s 77 school district boards, county boards, and state special schools.
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Helen Smith Recognized For 20 Years Of School Board Service
July 12, 2021
Horry County Schools (HCS) board member Helen Smith has been recognized by the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for 20 years of school board service.Helen Smith returned to the HCS Board of Education after 16 years to represent District 6, serving communities in Socastee, St. James, and Carolina Forest. Mrs. Smith was the former Chair of the HCS Board of Education from 1996 through 2002 and represented District 6 from 1982 until a successful, mid-term run for Chair in 1996.
This year, 31 school board members from throughout the state will receive special lapel pins for reaching the 10 or 15-year benchmark. Mrs. Smith will be one of only 18 board members from across our state that will commemorate their 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, or 40th, year of school board service.
Veteran school board members provide vision and valuable leadership for school districts. SCSBA and the local boards are happy to honor these board members for their long-term dedication to improving student achievement in their communities.
In January 2021, in South Carolina, about 47 percent of the state’s approximately 650 school district and affiliate board members had served four years or less, and about 30 percent had 10 years or more of board service.
SCSBA is a non-profit organization serving as a source of information as a statewide voice for boards governing the 79 school districts.
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Janet Graham Recognized At The SCSBA 2020 Annual Convention
February 2020
Horry County Board of Education Member Janet P. Graham was recognized at the South Carolina School Boards Association 2020 Annual Convention for achieving Level 6, the highest level of recognition in its Boardmanship Institute.The South Carolina School Boards Association's Boardmanship Institute offers a year-round training curriculum focused on leadership skills for board members on state and national educational issues. Board members are recognized for reaching each of six levels. Level 6 acknowledges the many hours of training board members receive to gain the knowledge and skills to assist them as leaders in making decisions for the benefit of children in public schools.
Mrs. Graham has been serving on the Horry County Board of Education since September 2012. She represents District 7, which includes portions of Conway and Carolina Forest.
Pictured left to right: Chuck Saylors, SCSBA President, Janet P. Graham, Horry County Board of Education - District 7, and Scott T.Price, SCSBA Executive Director.
