Elementary school principal took home over $100K, pay raises while on leave, records show

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) – Taxpayers in a South Carolina county are frustrated after learning that an elementary school principal has been taking home a six-figure salary and pay raises while on leave.

Ocean Bay Elementary School Principal Rebecca Schroyer has been on administrative leave for nearly three years.

Schroyer was put on paid leave in November 2022 for failing to properly report abuse by a special education teacher at the school.

Records show that while she has been on administrative leave, the school district has been paying Schroyer hundreds of thousands of dollars.

On Thursday, several parents said the situation isn’t sitting right with them.

“It’s time to cut the funds off. After a few years, it’s way past time to figure out what we’re doing with this particular situation,” said David Warner, a parent with Horry County Schools parent.

The South Carolina Board of Education said Schroyer is still on leave because it is still reviewing her credentials.

Additionally, while on administrative leave, Schroyer has also received raises.

Horry County Schools confirms that while on paid administrative leave, Schroyer also received two across-the-board pay raises, which is standard for district contracts.

WMBF also obtained Schroyer’s personnel records, which show she signed a new contract in May 2023 while she was on paid leave.

While the new contract doesn’t list Schroyer’s salary, a letter sent to her in September 2023 shows her pay rate is $585 a day. The work calendar year is 246 days, which equals out to over $143,000 a year.

Ocean Bay Elementary School parent Ted Shubeck said he thinks the situation is “unfair.”

“I don’t think it’s fair that she should continue to receive the pay and then not have to do anything for it,” Shubeck said.

Paperwork filed in February 2024 shows the Attorney General’s Office dismissed two counts of failing to report child abuse or neglect against Schroyer.

Schroyer’s South Carolina Educator’s Certificate is valid until June 2029.

WMBF has reached out to Horry County Schools, which said it doesn’t comment on personnel matters.