Школа Hope расстроена отказом совета образования округа Хорри продлить срок сделки по покупке здания

CONWAY, S.C — The Academy of Hope charter school’s board says it is “deeply disheartened” that the Horry County Board of Education will not allow an extension of a closing date for its purchase of a former Horry County Schools building. Back in June 2026, the HCS board approved the sale of the former Conway Education Center on Sherwood Drive in Conway — a surplus property for the district — at a price of $1.65 million dollars. However, at a special-called HCS Board meeting on Aug. 26, HCS Superintendent Clifford Jones said that as of Aug. 24, the inspection period and time had expired for the Academy of Hope and that an extension of the closing date on the sale was requested until Sept. 11. Jones recommended the board approve the Academy of Hope’s extension, but the HCS Board voted to deny Jones’ request. The board members who voted in favor of Jones’ recommendation to extend the period were David Koch (District 1), Janet Graham (District 8), James Edwards (District 9) and Darrell Ricketts (District 11). Eight others voted 'no.' Horry County Schools is the Conway charter school’s authorizer. Last week, the Academy of Hope released a public statement, sharing that their legal counsel had submitted a formal request on Aug. 21 to extend the property closing date. The charter school says that on Aug. 24, they received an amended document — “that was represented as a fully executed document” with the signature of HCS Board Chairman David Cox — indicating that the request for extension until Sept. 11 was granted. However, on Aug. 25, the Academy of Hope received communication from an attorney for Horry County Schools that the board decided to rescind the amendment because it had not been ratified by the full board. The communication also said that Cox did not have the authorization to sign the document. “These circumstances are particularly troubling because The Academy of Hope relied in good faith upon a document presented to us as a fully executed amendment bearing the signatures of both Board chairs,” the statement said in part. “Once that document was received, the parties involved in the closing process were operating and preparing accordingly under the understanding that the extension had been granted. We recognize and respect the authority of the Horry County School Board and District, which also serves as our school’s authorizer, to conduct its business in accordance with its policies, procedures, and legal obligations. “At the same time, we are deeply concerned that execution of this sequence of events has adversely impacted our school community and believe the public deserves a clear understanding of how we arrived at this point. Because of the school board’s decision, we cannot proceed with strategic plans to move our student body and faculty into a newer scholastic environment, grow enrollment, or provide families with a more centrally located facility making access easier for students.” The Academy of Hope currently meets in the former Pee Dee Elementary School at 3521 Juniper Bay Road in Conway. As of last year, the Pre-K-through-8th charter had about 100 students enrolled. On Monday, Aug. 31, the HCS Board met again regarding the property purchase situation, but no vote was taken. As of Tuesday, Sept. 1, the request for extension has not been granted and the future of the property remains unclear. HCS Board Chair David Cox shared remarks Monday night after the board met in executive session, saying in part: "As permitted by law, the board received legal consultation regarding the potential sale of this property. At this time, no action will be taken on this item this evening. Discussions regarding the future use of this property remain ongoing among the board and the Superintendent and legal counsel. "When the board is ready to take formal action or make a decision regarding this property, the consideration will take place at a future public meeting."