Greenville County Schools has paused in-school book fairs for the current school year, citing a recently-enacted state regulation.
Book fairs are typically set up by outside vendors. Schools use them as fund raisers, and as a way to offer books for sale and promote reading.
The full statement from Greenville County Schools, released Aug. 22:
Greenville County Schools will not be able to host in-person book fairs this school year like we have in the past. We hope to be able to host them again in the future, and below is an explanation of why book fairs are being paused at this time.
First, we recognize the value in school-sponsored book fairs as a way to promote reading with students while also engaging parents and the community in support of literacy. Additionally, book fairs provide a fundraising opportunity for schools that have a positive impact on students and the community.
Effective August 1, 2024, South Carolina’s State Board of Education passed SC Regulation 43-170, which outlines new requirements for how instructional materials provided by schools or made available to students in school are selected. As a result, Greenville County Schools finds it necessary to pause all book fairs for this school year while it works with vendors to find a solution that ensures compliance and avoids a circumstance that may place employees in jeopardy of violating provisions of the regulation. The logistics of book fairs involve large containers of books and other material being delivered to schools, set out, packed up, picked up, restocked, and sent to the next school on a short turnaround time. It is not possible for school personnel to vet all book fair content after it arrives, nor can vendors provide accurate content information far enough in advance for it to be vetted through the District prior to the start of fall book fairs.
The District’s Academics team is actively working with schools and individual book fair vendors to explore ways to continue offering book fairs in the future. During the time needed to ensure full compliance with the new regulation, there are alternatives, such as book clubs and online book fairs, for schools to consider. We will share more information once we have evaluated those other options for this year.
Greenville County Schools understands the importance of book fairs as a way to promote reading while also raising funds for the schools. Please know that the District is committed to finding alternative solutions in the future that comply with Regulation 43-170 and allow us to continue engaging parents and the community in support of literacy within our schools and at home.
The post Greenville County Schools cancels in-school book fairs for 2024-25 year appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.