Berkeley County teachers plead for restoration of Discus database access

Access to vital educational resources took center stage at the Berkeley County School District Board Meeting on February 18, 2025, as educators and parents voiced strong concerns over the recent blocking of the SC Discus database. Lauren Bukholtz, a librarian and parent, passionately argued that this decision places Berkeley County students at a significant disadvantage compared to their peers across South Carolina, who continue to benefit from access to high-quality scholarly databases.

Bukholtz emphasized that while students in other districts utilize resources like ERIC, Medline, and EBSCO for research, Berkeley County students are left to rely on Google, which does not provide the same level of credible information. "Databases provide full access to scholarly journals written by people who research for a living," she stated, urging the board to restore access to Discus, which she described as an essential tool for preparing students for college-level research.

Mev Macintosh, another speaker and former educator, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the negative impact on students' ability to meet academic standards related to informational text. She criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the decision to block Discus, questioning why educators and parents were not informed. "This step to magically remove this database with no explanation... ignores the 45,000 children impacted," she said, calling for accountability from the board.

The meeting also featured updates from Superintendent Dr. Dixon, who recognized various achievements within the district, including Cross High School's nomination as a National Blue Ribbon School and the success of students at the South Carolina Beta Convention. However, the discussions surrounding Discus underscored a pressing issue that could hinder educational equity and access to quality resources for Berkeley County students.

As the board moves forward, the community awaits clarity on the future of Discus and its critical role in supporting student research and learning.