During a recent government meeting, Dylan Rhine, a junior at Academic Magnet High School, addressed the school board regarding the implications of Regulation 43170, which pertains to curriculum and school resources. Rhine emphasized that while the regulation is legally within the school board's authority, its vague wording could lead to significant misinterpretations.

Rhine highlighted the concerning trend of book bans, noting that they disproportionately impact minority communities. Citing data from the American Literature Association, he pointed out that 47% of books removed under similar legislation nationwide feature diverse characters. In contrast, the representation of diverse content in school libraries falls short of this percentage, suggesting that personal biases heavily influence decisions on book removals.

He urged the board to consider the emotional consequences for students stemming from a lack of representation in educational materials. Rhine argued that failing to provide diverse content would hinder the county's ability to support students emotionally, a responsibility he believes the board is committed to fulfilling.

Additionally, Rhine questioned the board's focus on removing educational materials, especially given South Carolina's ranking among the lowest in the nation for childhood literacy. He called for a shift in priorities towards improving literacy rates rather than restricting access to diverse literature.