On July 17th, voters head to the polls deciding who should be put in charge of a $750 million Horry County School District budget. The Horry County School system is the largest employer in the county. In 2016, it employed a staff of 5,540 teachers, principals, administrators, janitors, bus drivers, food workers, and helpers. In the last reported year of 2015/16, the system served over 42,500 students in 51 schools (as well as additional education programs) around the county in 9 attendance areas.
No city nor county government along the Grand Strand employs more, nor has the responsibility of managing what is approaching a $1 billion annual budget.
MyrtleBeachSC news has followed the three Republican candidates. Each brings their own unique qualities to the position of School Board Chairman. After listening to each, we believe that Ken Richardson is the most uniquely qualified candidate to tackle the challenges facing a 21st Century Horry County. From rapidly evolving technology, to ethnic diversity, to public safety, to high level budgeting, and even to negotiating in a manner that retains the best quality staff, Richardson has a proven, winning track record.
He is best described as a strategic team builder who develops both wise, short-range and long-range goals that work.
Ken ran among the most successful businesses in Myrtle Beach for many decades. He is accustomed to high level negotiating with suppliers, employees, clients, and constituents. As the Chairman of the Board of Horry Georgetown Technical College for 16 years, Ken transitioned that institution into this current era creating jobs for nurses, lab technicians, dental technicians and culinary professionals (among many other well paid graduate opportunities).
These high paying, skilled jobs were spearheaded under Ken’s leadership. No one disputes Richardson’s outstanding achievements as Board Chairman at Horry Georgetown Technical College.
Richardson is making a commitment to work with Horry County Council to ensure the highest level of public safety at each school for our students. While many candidates running for public office often make grand promises, Richardson has a proven history of delivering on what he says he will do.
We ask all area residents please vote this coming Tuesday. No elected office in Horry County is more important than Horry County School Board Chairman.