Greenville County board approves revisions to complaints policy after heated debate over school‑level panels

The Greenville County School Board voted 10‑2 on Aug. 27 to adopt revisions to board policy KNBA, which set procedures for complaints about instructional materials after extended public comment and a prolonged in‑board debate over whether to keep a seven‑person school‑level review panel.

The debate centered on local review procedures written to align with state regulation 43‑170. Superintendent Dr. Royster told the meeting the regulation "was not passed by this board, was not adopted by this board. That regulation came from the State Board of Education," and said the district paused book fairs earlier to protect employees who could face state discipline under the new rule.

Board member Mr. Cochran proposed an amendment to strike the panel language and give principals broader discretion. "First of all, principals already have the ability to make these decisions," Cochran said, arguing committee reviews had not produced outcomes the board expected. "The committee process was clearly not working," he added, citing recent cases where advisory committees’ recommendations differed from later board votes.

Opponents of removing the panel, including Dr. Presley and several board colleagues, defended the school‑level review as a way to create a consistent, documented "good faith" process for parents and principals. "We owe our parents and our stakeholders ... parental involvement," Dr. Presley said during the discussion, arguing multiple perspectives matter when issues fall into ambiguous regulatory language.

Administrators and the superintendent said the panel language was drafted with principals’ input to provide an expedited 21‑day procedure and avoid 96 different school processes. District counsel and operational staff explained that the panel was intended to let principals convene parents, media specialists and teachers to weigh in when a complaint is not an obvious regulatory violation.

A motion to end debate failed, and the amendment to remove the school panel did not pass on a roll call. The board then approved the recommended revisions to KNBA as presented by the administration, 10‑2.

Votes at a glance: • KNBA (revision to complaints policy) — Approved 10‑2 on roll call. • Property acquisition for Northwest Middle School (29.22 acres) — Approved (motion carried); Superintendent Royster recused himself from participation on the item. • Selection of electrical engineering firms (top two) — Approved (voice vote). • Selection of mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering firms (top five) — Approved (voice vote). • Duke Energy perpetual utility easement at A.J. Wittenberg Elementary — Approved (voice vote). • Physical education exemptions for three students — Approved (voice vote).

The board heard more than a dozen public commentators before the vote; many urged preservation of book fairs and classroom libraries and raised concerns about access and the administrative burden of the new state regulation. Several speakers asked the board to pursue legislative relief or clearer appeal procedures. Mr. Sailors said the advocacy committee will draft a resolution for the General Assembly seeking a carve‑out for book fairs.

The policy adoption is the board’s local implementation of the state regulation; Dr. Royster and staff said the regulation gives the State Board of Education authority to issue employee discipline up to suspension or revocation of certifications in certain cases. The board signaled it will monitor the policy’s operation and adjust procedures if needed.