Greenville County School Board Committee Discusses Book Fair Resolution

Greenville County School Board Committee Discusses Book Fair Resolution

Greenville, S.C. – In a recent meeting, members of the Greenville County School Board’s advocacy committee addressed pressing issues surrounding school book fairs. The discussion followed a significant pause in book fairs across the district due to new regulations implemented in August.

Background on the Issue

According to Chuck Saylors, the chairman of the advocacy committee, the South Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that introduced restrictions on media center materials. This legislative change has raised concerns among school officials regarding the selection of books available at book fairs. The committee revealed that vendors often send lists of book titles that may not comply with these new state regulations, complicating the selection process for schools.

Concerns Raised by Committee Members

One committee member explained the challenges faced by schools when organizing book fairs. “When vendors provide a list of books, if some titles are sold out, they will replace them without the school knowing what has been replaced. This means the person in charge of the book fair doesn’t have a chance to review and vet the new titles,” they added.

Efforts Toward a Resolution

In light of these challenges, the advocacy committee is working on a resolution aimed at addressing the situation. Saylors stated, “We cannot guarantee that the books we receive from vendors will meet the guidelines set by the state board of education. The simplest way to protect students and staff is to exempt book fairs from these regulations.”

Next Steps

The proposed resolution is set to be reviewed and potentially approved at the upcoming school board meeting. If approved, it will be forwarded to the State Department of Education and state legislators. In the meantime, Greenville County Schools are exploring creative solutions to allow book fairs to resume in the community.

The committee’s proactive approach seeks to ensure that students have access to a wide range of literature while adhering to state regulations.