MORNING HEADLINES | Complaints of historical inaccuracies and ideological indoctrination from parents, teachers and students led a Columbia member of the state Board of Education on Tuesday to call for the review of the agency’s relationship with right-wing content producer PragerU.
- Previous CP coverage: Critics say superintendent aligns education agency with producer that indoctrinates
Also during a meeting of the state school board, as reported Wednesday by the City Paper, the board cranked up the heat on one book snared in a regulation related to book banning.
Meanwhile, a state lawmaker says documents from an open records request show a “behind the scenes” deal between PragerU and state Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver, an allegation that Weaver says is misleading and wrong.
In other recent headlines:
CP NEWS: Town of James Island seeks public input for new arts center. James Island Town Council voted Nov. 21 to move forward with plans for a new arts and culture center after learning its existing facility on Camp Road needs extensive repairs, including a new roof and exterior waterproofing.
Charleston County, Charleston Animal Society at loggerheads over contract. Officials are working to negotiate a new agreement after Charleston County cancelled its contract with the Charleston Animal Society to shelter stray animals in November.
Native South Carolinians will be a minority by 2026. In 2023, just 51.8 percent of S.C. residents were born in the state, according to Census estimates — down from 80% in 1970.
CCSD asking for parents’ input on new start times for some schools. Parents are raising concerns about earlier start times for elementary school students in Districts 9, 10 and 23.
- Charter school announces West Ashley site. Ashley River Classical Academy, with a curriculum created by Michigan’s famously conservative Hillsdale College, will be located at 2025 Bees Ferry Road in Charleston when it opens in the fall of 2025, school officials said.
Charleston city budget avoids property tax increase while raising parking fees. The $350 million spending plan is the city’s largest ever and funds both its general operation and for popular city-owned spaces like the Angel Oak, City Market and Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark.\
SC House selects new committee chairs. There were no major shake-ups when state House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, handed out committee assignments Wednesday.
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