HCS board discusses school security following several threats at Carolina Forest High School

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - The Horry County School Board met for the first time Monday night following a series of threats against Carolina Forest High School.

Four bomb threats and an active shooter threat deemed hoaxes were called into the school last week, leaving many on edge. Another threat was called in on Monday, making it six total threats against the school since last Wednesday.

“My heart just went into my throat,” said Misti Jordan, whose son goes to CFHS. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, how can I get to him as quick as I can?’”

RELATED COVERAGE: District confirms 6th threat called into Carolina Forest High School

Horry County police charged two students in connection to one of the school threats made on Thursday.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Lisa Bourcier, spokesperson for Horry County Schools. “This is a critical time of year for our students, especially our high school students.”

Jordan told WMBF News she feels the district has been inconsistent in its responses to threats, bringing up the fact that students were not told to evacuate on Monday.

“Here we are at almost the end of the school year, and you don’t have, you don’t have a plan put in place, basically, to make them feel safe, but make parents feel safe, too,” said Jordan.

Bourcier said the protocol varies from call to call, and leaders take direction from law enforcement. She added while authorities continue to investigate these calls, CFHS is stepping up security, and more officers are patrolling the campus.

“A lot of times they come in before mornings and do a full sweep before the students are ever there, so the campus has been pretty much locked down and safe, and the students are able to continue their work,” said Bourcier. “We have been limiting people coming in through the gates because that adds additional people on a site that needs to remain clear of a scene.”

The school board discussed school security, which has been a topic for months, behind closed doors during the executive session.

This also comes one month after a WMBF News investigation uncovered emails showing the district’s safety coordinator turned down weapons detection systems minutes after a salesperson reached out.

Bourcier said a substantial amount of money in the district’s budget will be put towards school security.

She added there are some improvements students and parents could see starting next year, but the board still has to vote on the budget in June.

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