Taking the Joy out of SC Public Schools One Piece at a Time

AKA Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees’ “Situationship” with Ellen Weaver

I’m grateful for our guest writer today (because I’ve been sick all week, and because I’m up for full professor this year so lots of work this month getting my portfolio together), especially because she is a pillar in the Upstate’s Democratic community. Dr. Amanda McDougald Scott is the chair of the Greenville County Democratic Party, in addition to heading up Artemis Consulting as the CEO. She is an expert in policy research in systems, health care, early childhood, and child care, and is the mom of an elementary student in the Greenville County Schools (like me). We were united in our sorrow and outrage that our school board caved to a recent state policy meant to ban books by cancelling our school book fairs district wide, and she shares her perspective with us here. A reminder that Hot Feminism pays guest writers, so if you can upgrade to a paid subscription to support them, I’d appreciate it!

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Last Wednesday night, one of the Greenville County Board of Trustees (GCSBOT) members described their decision to “pause” school book fairs this year as a “situation.” I’m calling it part of a situationship with Ellen Weaver…one in which not all of the trustees want to be involved.

Instead of having the political courage to push back against SC Regulation 43-170, the majority of GCSBOT decided it was best to take one more piece of pure joy from children’s schools in South Carolina. They did this by removing book fairs until further notice. As a relevant non-sequitur, this reminds me of their similar disinterest in requiring masks during COVID, claiming fear of repercussions from the General Assembly and State Department of Education—even though there were many ways to get around the stated repercussions if someone had a bit of moxie. Likewise, I believe there were likely other ways to deal with the SC Regulation than to pause book fairs.

While many parents may misunderstand the bureaucracy and origin of the GCBOT decision to cancel book fairs until further notice, there are several of us who understand that the grounds and blame ultimately lie with the General Assembly and Ellen Weaver (the unqualified and extreme conservative SC Superintendent of Education). However, children do not care about any of this. Children care about the fact that their beloved book fair has been cancelled, and are genuinely upset—as are many parents. It is the job of parents to speak out against these actions at every level, and the job of dissenting GCBOT members to push back against these recently-passed extreme laws that have led them to disappointing and distasteful action.

Parental concern and confusion about the cancellation of book fairs has been met with defensiveness and condescension from some trustees at and since the school board meeting. This has not helped improve understanding or parental trust of the GCSBOT. Parents who are anti-censorship and pro-freedom have endured the past four years of attacks on public schools in South Carolina, due to the actions of the aforementioned far-right extremist elected officials and groups. The same parents have witnessed the reticence of the GCSBOT to take clear action to preserve and defend the rights and freedom of students to learn and teachers to teach. Therefore, it would behoove the trustees who are interested in preserving freedom to read, learn, and teach to take a more understanding tone with parents.

I personally find the level of concern about being in compliance with state law only in Greenville County Schools interesting. Even if other school districts in the state have “discussed” this course of action, Greenville County, the largest and therefore also one of the most influential counties in the state, is the only one that decided to take action on “pausing” book fairs. Discussion and action are not the same thing.

Not for our students in Greenville County Schools. From Scholastic promotional materials.

School book fairs are an American tradition. Who doesn’t remember the joy of book fair time at school? Having your allowance or a few dollars from your parents/guardians/others to spend on a book of your choosing? Going home with that prize was magical. Maybe you even went home with a new Lisa Frank bookmark for your new American Girls book. 

Not only are school book fairs a way for schools to raise much-needed funds (something else of which the Republicans of the SC General Assembly and Ellen Weaver area also intent on depriving public schools), but they are also highly-anticipated and enjoyed occasions for students to pick out books on topics of their interest. My own son has enjoyed and looked forward to the book fair in past years. This year, that joy has taken from him by Ellen Weaver, Moms for Liberty, the Freedom Caucus, and the fear of them encapsulated by the reaction of the GCSBOT. 

There are few GCSBOT members who do not support the book fair cancellation nor the directives from the State Education Department. Since it is election season, I’ll share with you about who is on what side of this argument to help you become a more informed voter.

It is my understanding that Trustees Glenda Morrison-Fair, Michelle Goodwin-Calwile, Ann Middleton, Angie Moseley, Anne Pressley, Chuck Saylors, and Carolyn Styles are looking for ways to bring back book fairs.¹ However, I certainly hope that they will also seek (or for some, continue to seek) ways to fight back against the State BOE and General Assembly on these anti-reading and anti-freedom laws and regulations.

Conversely, the school board members who are affiliated with Moms for Liberty (M4L) include Sarah Dulin, Amanda Brett, and Lynda Levintis-Wells. I have been told that Jeff Cochran is affiliated with the SC Freedom Caucus—but ideologically, so are all those participate with M4L. There’s also the “Patriot Caucus,” which, judging by its panelists below, doesn’t bode well for SC public education, either (note Amanda Brett is pictured here, alongside Adam Morgan, a notorious book ban enthusiast).

I know I am not alone in calling on the GCSBOT to stand up and fight for our children and teachers. There are several of us who will loudly support you and the trustees who are doing the right thing for our schools if you do. 

1. The emboldened names indicate who is up for re-election, and the Post and Courier wrote an article with some details about who is running this year.