Foreign Speaking Student Population Growing in Horry County Schools
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – The Horry County school system is seeing a significant rise in the number of foreign-speaking students, with current statistics revealing that 12,659 students fall into this category. Among them, 4,417 students have limited or no English proficiency, while 8,242 speak English as a second language.
Challenges Faced by the School System
According to Lisa H. Bourcier, the Director of Strategic Communications & Community Engagement for Horry County Schools, the influx of non-English speaking students poses significant challenges for the education system. The school system offers English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs to assist these students in gaining proficiency in the language.
Community Response and Support
The increase in foreign-speaking students has sparked both concern and support from the local community. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has pledged to assist in job placement, housing, and other essential needs for these new immigrants.
Financial Implications and Taxpayer Concerns
While the immigrants may provide cheap labor for certain industries, the cost of educating them falls on local taxpayers. The unplanned expenses related to the education of foreign-speaking students could lead to tax hikes for residents, creating a financial burden for the community.
Call for Transparency and Accountability
State legislators have raised concerns over the funding of organizations supporting immigrant initiatives, such as MBACC, and are calling for greater transparency in how taxpayer dollars are utilized. There are calls to defund MBACC and redirect public funds to more essential community needs.
Political Ramifications and Advocacy
The debate over funding and support for immigrant programs has political implications, with advocacy groups like the S.C. Freedom Caucus challenging the current allocation of resources. The upcoming primaries will be a key battleground for candidates advocating for a reevaluation of public funding priorities.
Looking Ahead
As the foreign-speaking student population continues to grow in Horry County Schools, the community faces important decisions on how to balance support for immigrants with the financial responsibilities placed on local taxpayers. Transparency, accountability, and community engagement will be crucial in addressing these complex issues.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
