Tensions rise during SCDE Legislative Review presentation

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – A Legislative Oversight Committee meeting became very intense Wednesday during Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver’s PowerPoint presentation.

While Weaver was going into the statistics, accomplishments, and goals for the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), the topic of book removal was brought up by Representative Michael Rivers (D – Beaufort). The discussion was so heated Chairman Representative Tom McGinnis (R – Horry) had to step in.

“I think you would be very surprised, especially as a minister and very shocked about, some of the indecency and the sexual explicitness of some of those materials, and so that is what we’ve been doing here in South Carolina, ensuring that materials that are purchased on taxpayer dime and put in front of children, minor children on taxpayer time are not sexually explicit,” Weaver said during the hearing.

But Representative Michael Rivers (D – District 121), challenged what he called a selective approach to book banning.

“And I am glad you brought that up because for me as a preacher, if we’re going to start banning books because of sexually explicit stuff, one of the first books that would be banned would be the Bible,” Rivers replied.

“Sir that’s just not accurate,” Weaver said.

“Go to the Song of Solomon… it’ll make you think you’re reading a pornography magazine.”

In South Carolina, the State Board of Education has the ability to vote to remove books from K-12 Public Schools. South Carolina currently leads the nation in the number of books removed from public school libraries and curriculum at 22 books.

Weaver pushed back against the idea that the state is ‘banning’ books outright, stating:

“The books that have been considered and reviewed under that regulation have been looked at under a very objective criteria, and so I would just say in conclusion that we are not banning books in South Carolina.”

The discussion continued, “Don’t insult my intelligence, Ma’am,” Rivers said. “Sir, you have just impugned my integrity,” Weaver said at one point. “No, I’m just trying to correct you, that’s all. No hard feelings,” Rivers replied.

Despite the controversial debate, Weaver used the meeting to share updates on her department’s broader efforts to improve South Carolina’s education system. She highlighted improvements in student performance, particularly in fourth-grade math and reading scores, as well as eighth-grade math. She said many other states saw declines after the pandemic, but South Carolina saw a lot of inclines in many areas.

“That was not the story of the vast majority of states across the country who saw significant slides. I find great encouragement and hope in the fact that our economically disadvantaged students maintained or improved performance… which again defies the national trends.”

Weaver noted that approximately 60% of South Carolina students are considered economically disadvantaged, emphasizing the importance of continued support for those students.

Looking ahead, the South Carolina Department of Education said they are preparing to release additional data, including their annual budget and report card statistics, in the coming months.

The Legislative Oversight Committee said it will hold several more meetings as it continues its review of the Department of Education’s policies and performance.