News Summary
David Beaty, the ex-security coordinator for Horry County Schools, has filed a lawsuit against the school district and board member Howard Barnard for wrongful termination. The lawsuit follows a student gun incident at Myrtle Beach Middle School, where Beaty claims he was unfairly blamed despite being on leave. He argues that the school board’s vote of no confidence lacked proper procedure, and he seeks damages for the personal toll caused by the incident. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding school safety protocols in the district.
Myrtle Beach, SC – David Beaty, the former security coordinator for Horry County Schools (HCS), has initiated a lawsuit against the school district and board member Howard Barnard, claiming wrongful termination related to a gun incident at Myrtle Beach Middle School on February 6, 2024. Beaty served in his position from June 2012 until March 2024, during which he was responsible for overseeing security protocols within the district.
The incident that prompted Beaty’s legal action involved a student, identified only as “A.M.G.,” who allegedly brought a gun and ammunition to the school with the intention to harm another student in a restroom near the cafeteria. Fortunately, a school resource officer discovered the firearm and arrested the student, resulting in no injuries.
After the incident raised alarm among parents regarding school safety, Beaty was placed on paid administrative leave in March 2024. His contract was not renewed in June 2024 following a school board vote of 7-3, initiated by Barnard, which expressed a “vote of no confidence” concerning the district’s security staff. Beaty claims this vote, which he alleges Barnard tipped off local media about, unfairly shifted blame onto him despite his absence from work due to vacation during the incident.
Beaty’s lawsuit argues that the school board lacked a formal mechanism for conducting a vote of no confidence, which is outlined in the board’s policy. He states that his role was not to implement security measures directly but to ensure that established security protocols were adhered to by building-level administrators. Moreover, he received indications from the then-superintendent Dr. Rick Maxey that pressure was being exerted to either terminate him or force his resignation. When Beaty refused either option, he remained on paid administrative leave until his contract expiration.
The legal action highlights the personal and professional toll that the situation has taken on Beaty, citing feelings of embarrassment, humiliation, and mental anguish. In his claim, he seeks both actual and punitive damages and requests a jury trial. Additionally, he asserts that after his termination, his former position was recreated under a different title, but he was not offered the new role despite being qualified for it.
Following the gun incident, HCS took proactive steps towards enhancing school security by deciding to purchase a weapons detection system. However, Beaty’s lawsuit maintains that even before this incident, discussions on such security measures had started as far back as June 2022. It also points out inconsistencies in the policies for student searches across various schools within the district at the time.
The events leading to Beaty’s lawsuit underline significant concerns regarding school safety protocols in Horry County, as well as the responsibilities and responses of school administration officials in the face of critical incidents involving weaponry. As this case progresses, it is likely to draw further attention to the policies concerning school security and the accountability of school officials.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Horry County Schools Security Coordinator Case Dismissed
- Wikipedia: School Security
- WMBF News: Ex-Horry County Schools Security Coordinator Files Lawsuit
- Google Search: Horry County Schools security
- Myrtle Beach Online: Horry County Schools News
- Google Scholar: Horry County Schools security lawsuit
- My Horry News: Former Horry County Schools Security Coordinator Suing District
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Security Laws
- Post and Courier: Horry County Schools Security Wrongful Termination Lawsuit
- Google News: Horry County Schools security
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.
