SUGAR LAND, Texas – The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees approved a policy change on Monday that will allow the superintendent authority to remove certain books from school libraries. The superintendent will also designate someone to fulfill that role.
Only two trustees voted no.
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A coalition of Fort Bend ISD librarians, parents and community members held a news conference Monday afternoon, urging trustees to reject the proposed changes.
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The previous policy of the district required community members with a concern to file a formal challenge to reconsider instructional material, including books in libraries. The book would then be read and reviewed by a reconsideration committee before a decision is made.
The district’s website outlined the current complaint process:
- Schedule an informal discussion with school staff to discuss concerns.
- A Campus or District Reconsideration Committee will review materials if necessary.
- Complainants can appeal to the Board if unsatisfied with the committee’s decision.
The approved proposal change will give the superintendent more authority over the materials in the libraries. Now approved, the superintendent or someone designated by the superintendent wi be able to determine if a book in the library violates policy and would be able to remove it, without a formal challenge being made.
Click here to read the revised policy in the Fort Bend ISD meeting agenda.
The opposition stated that if adopted, FBISD would have one of the most restrictive Library Materials policy in the state of Texas and will result in hundreds of age-appropriate and educationally suitable books being removed from library shelves.