Greenville School Board Approves Changes to Teaching Materials Policy
In Greenville, South Carolina, the local school board has taken significant steps regarding educational materials. During a meeting on August 27, the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees approved revisions to their policy on teaching materials, which affects students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Key Changes to the Policy
The updated policy enhances accessibility and the process for selecting instructional materials. One of the major requirements is that the district must now keep a full list of all available books and materials on its official website. Additionally, teachers and media specialists are tasked with creating a separate list of the materials that are in their specific classrooms or libraries. This list must be provided to parents or guardians if they request it.
The revisions stem from a new regulation by the South Carolina State Board of Education, which defines what qualifies as “age and developmentally appropriate” material for students. Notably, any material deemed to contain sexually explicit content must be removed from schools.
Review Process for Complaints
The board also introduced a updated process for addressing complaints related to instructional materials. A new school-level review panel has been established that is made up of seven members: a teacher, a media specialist, an administrator, a representative from the Academics Department, and three parents. This panel will help school principals evaluate any concerns from parents or guardians about specific materials. While the panel can make recommendations, the final call on whether to restrict or remove items rests with the superintendent.
Controversy Surrounding Book Fairs
Superintendent Burke Royster mentioned that the district is currently negotiating with vendors who organize these fairs to ensure compliance with the new requirements. He emphasized the risk involved for school employees who may inadvertently offer materials that have not been properly vetted.
Some parents, including Sarah Frick, voiced their frustrations with the decision, arguing that taking away book fairs harms children’s access to literature.
Future Steps
The board is planning to communicate concerns about the new regulations to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly. Trustee Charles Saylors announced that an advocacy committee will meet on September 17 to discuss proposals that could allow exemptions for book fairs from the regulation.
As the district navigates these changes, discussions will continue about how best to balance instructional material availability while meeting regulatory requirements.
