Simple Civics: Greenville County

Five years after Chromebooks came home during COVID, Greenville County Schools has a new rule on classroom technology and a new framework for AI. Catherine Schumacher talks with Dr. Susan Stevens, Associate Superintendent for Academics, about what changes at each grade level, how student voices sparked the shift, and where AI tools like MagicSchool fit.
Episode Resources:
Greenville County Schools Administrative Rule IA
MagicSchool AI
EdTalks:
Greenville Federal Credit Union
Public Education Partners
Greenville First Steps
Simple Civics:
Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
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Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Every Greenville County voter will see two countywide penny tax questions on the November ballot, and residents of the cities of Greenville, Mauldin, Simpsonville and Travelers Rest will see a third. Katy Smith of Greater Good Greenville and producer Nathaniel DeSantis walk through what each referendum would fund, why there are both county and city referenda on the ballot, and how the same tax can be called both a penny and a 17% increase. The goal is not to sway your vote, but to give you clear, neutral facts before you head to the polls.

Resources:
Look up your ballot, candidates and referendums by address
Greenville County Voter Registration and Elections (official referendum wording)
South Carolina State Election Commission (check your registration and sample ballot)
Greenville County Transportation Sales and Use Tax Portal
2024 Penny Tax vote by precinct
Simple Civics episode "Cities, Towns, Places, and ZIP Codes"
Simple Civics:
Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
Get in touch
Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
View our entire catalogue
Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Who's running for U.S. House of Representatives in South Carolina's District 4? Meet Jessica Ethridge, Courtney McClain, and William Timmons, the three candidates on the ballot in the November 3, 2026 general election. Hear where they stand on the issues facing voters, then share this episode with your neighbors before Election Day.

How the interviews worked:
All candidates received the same question at the time of their invitation to join us, and they were given 10 minutes for their interview. Candidates were allowed to bring along a companion, such as a campaign manager, family member, or friend, and to record our session themselves. There were no edits made to the interview.

Candidate links:
Jessica Ethridge
Courtney McClain
William Timmons
Sample Ballot
Simple Civics:
Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
Get in touch
Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
View our entire catalogue
Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Who's running for U.S. House of Representatives in South Carolina's District 3? Meet Sheri Biggs and Eunice Lehmacher, two of the candidates on the ballot in the November 3, 2026 general election. Hear where they stand on the issues facing voters, then share this episode with your neighbors before Election Day. Libertarian Brian Corriea was invited to participate but was unable to join us.

How the interviews worked:
All candidates received the same question at the time of their invitation to join us, and they were given 10 minutes for their interview. Candidates were allowed to bring along a companion, such as a campaign manager, family member, or friend, and to record our session themselves. There were no edits made to the interview.

Candidate links:
Sheri Biggs
Eunice Lehmacher
Sample Ballot
Simple Civics:
Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
Get in touch
Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
View our entire catalogue
Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.

Who's running for South Carolina House of Representatives in District 28? Meet Alan Buckalew and Chris Huff, the candidates on the ballot in the November 3, 2026 general election. Hear where they stand on the issues facing voters, then share this episode with your neighbors before Election Day.

How the interviews worked:
All candidates received the same question at the time of their invitation to join us, and they were given 10 minutes for their interview. Candidates were allowed to bring along a companion, such as a campaign manager, family member, or friend, and to record our session themselves. There were no edits made to the interview.

Candidate links:
Alan Buckalew
Chris Huff
Sample Ballot
Simple Civics:
Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville
Get in touch
Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution
Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
View our entire catalogue
Simple Civics: Greenville County is produced by Podcast Studio X.