HCS superintendent filled with ‘mixed emotions’ announcing retirement date

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - After 35 years with Horry County Schools, Superintendent Dr. Rick Maxey is retiring.

The announcement comes less than a week after an internal email was leaked and the district confirmed Maxey’s plans to step down.

At Monday’s school board meeting, Maxey talked about starting as an English teacher at Loris High School in August of 1989. He said his children attended Horry County Schools and are successful today because of the education they received.

Maxey also said his family is his reason for retirement and he wants to spend more time with his children and grandchildren.

While he said the decision comes with mixed emotions he said he wanted to make sure everyone knows he is not leaving on bad terms.

“I want to be clear that this is an amicable separation with respect to you and your respect to me, there is no settlement or severance package or anything like that, I don’t want anyone speculating about this or that, there’s not,” said Maxey.

Horry County Schools Board Chairman David Cox said HCS will represent Dr. Maxey for any pending litigation involving HCS before the board brings in a new leader.

Cox also said the search for a new superintendent will start soon as Horry County Schools cannot function without a superintendent. He did not go into any more details about the search.

Maxey will officially retire on June 30, 2024.

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