MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – Horry County Schools has a new chief of security just days before the start of the new school year.

The county announced late Monday that Mike Frederick is the new HCS executive director of safety and security. HCS said Frederick has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and public safety, including 10 years as chief of police for the South Carolina Public Service Authority, also known as Santee Cooper.

Frederick also previously served as chief of the Surfside Beach Police Department.

The hiring comes months after the district’s last school safety coordinator, David Beaty, was placed on leave following a school board vote of no confidence. Beaty’s contract with HCS ended in June.

According to the HCS website, the goal of the School Safety Office is to be “directly involved in several different aspects of district operations as they relate to safety and security.”

“We are developing policies for specific campus functions and supporting school administration to ensure our procedures ensure a safe learning environment for our students, staff and visitors,” the description continues.

HCS schools experienced threats and security issues last school year. Several of these threats targeted Carolina Forest High School, and at Myrtle Beach Middle School, a student was found with a handgun and a loaded magazine.

HCS students return to school on August 19.

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