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Superintendent clarifies state rule, names security director and cites thousands of summer projects
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Royster said the regulation governing instructional‑materials complaints came from the State Board of Education, announced Greg Porter as director of school security and reviewed extensive summer facilities, technology and staffing work ahead of the 2024–25 school year.
Superintendent Dr. Royster told the Greenville County School Board on Aug. 27 that the disputed regulation affecting book fairs and classroom materials originated with the State Board of Education, not with local trustees, and that the district temporarily paused book fairs to protect employees who might be subject to state disciplinary measures.
"That regulation was not passed by this board, was not adopted by this board. That regulation came from the State Board of Education," Dr. Royster said, explaining the district is required to follow the state rule while it seeks administrative or legislative clarity.
Royster also announced the appointment of Greg Porter as director of school security, safety and emergency preparedness; Porter has served as the district's coordinator of safety and emergency preparedness and previously worked for the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, including SRO and supervisory roles.
Royster summarized summer accomplishments intended to prepare schools for reopening: approximately 7,500 work orders completed; tens of thousands of square feet of flooring and roofing replaced; LED lighting upgrades covering about 790,716 square feet; Wi‑Fi replacement across all schools; and about 76,698 Chromebooks placed into service. He also described training and staffing efforts in transportation, nutrition services, human resources and professional learning ahead of the school year.
In presentations earlier in the meeting, Rachel Turner outlined the Future Teacher Academy — a three‑tier program that offers dual‑enrollment credit in partnership with Clemson University and credited the district with about 500 I Teach conference participants this year — and Public Education Partners recognized a First Class Mentor award winner for early‑career teacher support.
The superintendent framed the summer work as investments in safety, technology and staff capacity to support the 2024–25 school year and asked the community to support those operational efforts.
