Two-minute impact
Over a dozen parents, students and teachers in Lake Travis ISD spoke at a Dec. 13 board of trustees meeting against the board’s recent decision to remove three books from campus libraries.
At a Nov. 15 meeting, the board voted to remove "I Never" by Laura Hopper from Lake Travis High School, transfer "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson from middle school libraries to the high school and move "Bodies Are Cool" by Tyler Feder from elementary school libraries to the teacher and staff collection. The board’s decision addressed a grievance by LTISD parent Jodie Dover who appealed the decisions of a reconsideration committee and district administrators to keep the materials in district libraries.
The public outcry also follows the proposal of a new district library policy that would increase parental involvement in library material selection and expedite the reconsideration process for obscene or harmful material.
Those opposed
Many speakers said the district’s book challenge and reconsideration process was unfairly allowing parents to make decisions for students beyond their own children. They also referenced the district’s policy whereby parents can restrict the library materials their child checks out.
“I believe that a parent's right to what their child reads—there has to be a line to where that goes,” said Carter Davis, a Lake Travis High School student. “For me, that line is when that right infringes on the liberties of another child to read a book.”
LTISD parent Anna Lindsey said the board’s recent decision made a mockery of its current process, which includes a reconsideration committee of community members and district staff.
“It's disappointing to see the board reverse the process that was completed multiple times with the input from parents, librarians and administration,” Lindsey said. “There's been no evidence presented to suggest that any part of this challenge process was flawed or subject to scrutiny or reversal.”
Several community members, including parent Rachelle Nelson, asked the board to improve the challenge and reconsideration process through its new library policy.
“Let's do better to improve the process and increase the trust the board has in its community and librarians, and the trust that the community and librarians has in the board," Nelson said.
Those in favor
Speaker Jennifer Fleck expressed gratitude for the board's decision and asked that its new library policy comply with a state law banning sexually explicit books in public schools.
“We are thrilled about the precedent that this might set,” Fleck said.
How we got here
The district launched an online form this spring allowing parents and community members to challenge books. If the complainant makes a formal challenge, the book will be reviewed by a reconsideration committee that may include staff, librarians, parents, community members, and middle and high school students.
Dover, who challenged three books beginning in March, appealed the decisions of a reconsideration committee and further determinations of two district administrators. Dover's final appeal led to five board members voting to remove and transfer the books in November. Place 1 board member Phillip Davis and Place 2 board member Lauren White voted against.
“These books have no place on district shelves,” Dover said. “They are not age and/or subject-matter appropriate."
