The recent controversy in Virginia, and across the nation, over whether parents have the right to know what is being taught in local schools, and the right to speak at public meetings, has led to the South Carolina School Boards Association withdrawing from the National School Boards Association.
In a letter sent to SCSBA Members, dated November 8, SCSBA President Cheryl Burgess and Executive Director Scott T. Price stated the following:
On Friday, November 5, 2021, the South Carolina School Boards Association Board of Directors held a special called board meeting to receive a briefing, and to consider and review the timeline of events and discuss the resulting impact in our state at-present and in the future in relation to the National School Boards Association (NSBA) September 29 letter.
After careful deliberation, the Board voted to withdraw SCSBA’s membership from NSBA effective immediately and request a refund of SCSBA’s 2021-2022 membership dues. This decision was not made lightly.
Over the past few weeks, SCSBA leadership has carefully monitored NSBA’s actions, advocating and watching for a clear path forward and affirmative steps to address the damage done in relation to NSBA’s September 29 letter to President Joe Biden. SCSBA has kept you, our members, informed regarding our ongoing concerns with the September 29 letter. Aside from an October 22 letter of apology to state associations, NSBA has taken few steps to mitigate the negative impact of the letter on many states including South Carolina.
On the whole, the Board felt it was in the best interest of SCSBA’s membership to sever ties with NSBA at once.
The letter goes on to say separation from NSBA will not have an impact on the state-level services and trainings that school board members rely on.
SCSBA’s Board and staff will continue to provide first-class offerings with a focus on local control and decision-making.
