Horry County Schools security coordinator on administrative leave after board’s request

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Horry County Schools’ security coordinator was asked to resign by the superintendent in March after the board’s request, according to documents obtained by News13.

Superintendent Richard Maxey, who recently announced his plans to retire, wrote a letter to security coordinator David Beaty on March 15, asking him to either retire, resign or be fired per the board’s request.

“The purpose of this letter is to follow up with you regarding the status of your employment. As you know, yesterday afternoon, I met with you and your immediate supervisor, Daryl Brown, Chief Support Services Officer, to share with you the board’s directive to me that I notify you that ‘regarding David Beaty — Board would like a letter of resignation, retirement announcement or termination by 3/18/2024,” Maxey’s letter reads.

Beaty responded to the March 15 letter that same day, saying he gave serious thought to the options, but wasn’t going to step down from his position.

“My family obligations, among other reasons, prevents me from resigning my position especially given the fact that I have not been provided any type of explanation or justification for this adverse employment action,” Beaty’s response said. “Also, I am hesitant to voluntarily leave my employment until such time I am able to secure sound legal counsel.”

Maxey responded with a letter on March 27, informing Beaty that the board had not taken action on firing him, but that he would be placed on paid administrative leave until further notice.

“At its meetings on March 18 and March 25, the Board of Education did not take action to terminate your employment. At the present time, therefore, your employment status is that you are on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until further notice,” Maxey’s response reads.

The district voted unanimously March 18 to install weapons detection systems in its schools.

A district spokesperson confirmed to News13 Thursday morning that Beaty was still on administrative leave.

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Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here .

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